One of the challenges of the CASASTART-UP initiative was making sure all the disparate individuals working on the project were aligned when it came to goals and messaging. Fortunately for Amy Sutnick Plotch, founder and president of Amy Sutnick Plotch Communications, the collaboration proved to be smooth. To avoid discord and delays, Plotch offers the following tips for those working on initiatives with multiple partners:
• Be honest about your strengths—and shortcomings: You need to know what areas you’re an expert in and in what areas you’re lacking. “Bringing a partner in [to fill that void] makes your work better,” says Plotch.
• Be clear about your goals, timeline and your budget: “Keep the lines of communications open so that if there isn’t clarity in those areas, then questions will surface early, and you’ll need to make sure that your subcontractors have all the information so they’ll do a good job.”