Partnership Kickoff Meeting Template

You only have one chance to make a first impression, that's where the Partnership Kickoff comes in.

Many vendors start their partnership with their customers by jumping right into Onboarding - they miss the opportunity to properly align with their customers on goals, expectations, roles & responsibilities and success criteria. This template allows you to frame the appropriate conversations to ensure everyone is on the same page moving forward. 

Why should you have a partnership call with your customers in advance of Onboarding:

• Establishing Relationships: The kickoff call provides an opportunity for the customer and the vendor to establish rapport and build relationships. This early connection helps lay the foundation for a strong partnership based on trust and collaboration.

• Aligning Expectations: The call allows both parties to align their expectations regarding the onboarding process, project timeline, roles and responsibilities, and desired outcomes. This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that everyone is on the same page from the outset.

• Gathering Key Information: The kickoff call enables the vendor to gather important information about the customer's specific needs, goals, challenges, and preferences. This insight helps tailor the onboarding process and solution to meet the customer's unique requirements.

• Setting Objectives and Milestones: During the call, both parties can discuss and define clear objectives, milestones, and success criteria for the onboarding process. This provides a roadmap for progress tracking and helps keep the project on track towards achieving its goals.

• Identifying Stakeholders: The kickoff call allows both parties to identify key stakeholders and decision-makers involved in the onboarding process. Understanding who will be involved and their respective roles helps streamline communication and decision-making.

• Addressing Concerns and Questions: The call provides an opportunity for the customer to voice any concerns, questions, or requirements they may have upfront. Addressing these issues early on helps build confidence and trust in the vendor's ability to deliver a successful onboarding experience.

• Building Excitement and Momentum: A structured kickoff call can help build excitement and momentum for the onboarding process. By emphasizing the value proposition and potential benefits of the solution, the vendor can generate enthusiasm and buy-in from the customer.

• Laying the Foundation for Success: Ultimately, the structured partnership kickoff call sets the stage for a successful onboarding experience and long-term partnership. By establishing clear communication channels, aligning expectations, and building relationships, both parties can work together more effectively towards achieving mutual success.