THE SHARP PENCIL

PARTNERSHIP PROCESS.

A GUIDE FOR WORKING TOGETHER

> Please read if you're considering a partnership project.

THERE ISN'T A TEMPLATE FOR THE KIND OF WORK WE'LL DO.

What I offer here is a model. It's one way we could work together.

Your situation, your goals & your way of thinking & working are unique to you. So are mine. Your project will be an original undertaking with its own set of challenges & opportunities. We'll be forming a partnership never formed before to work on a project never done before.

I PRESENT A PHASED APPROACH BELOW REPRESENTING AN IDEAL PROJECT PARTNERSHIP. IT'S HOW I HAVE WORKED WITH FRIENDS BEFORE & HOW WE MIGHT PARTNER TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS.

NOTE

PHASE ONE is critical. We'll create something amazing if we get through the first phase. I only work with people who want to accomplish difficult-but-worthwhile things--people who are serious & kind. We all enjoy working with such people--serious about progress but kind.

The partnership conversation will include agreement on deliverables, timelines & compensation. We should pay attention if there isn't confidence in our fit. If (before keyboards & phones start lighting up) any storm clouds are satelliting around, then we shouldn't proceed. We don't have the luxury of time or energy to force-fit relationships when they aren't promising, beneficial & fun. It isn't worth risking a potential friendship, no matter how ambitious or exciting the prospect. If there's mojo (rapport), it'll be obvious.

There are many people who can help you get a creative project done. Where I stand out is in PHASE THREE. I do my best work for my friends in the process of distilling for brevity, editing for voice & considering the impact of every sentence.

It can be a grind getting any project organized & filling in the color, but extraordinary things always emerge as a project gets closer to "your definition of 'done.'"

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WE MAKE A PLAN TO PROCEED.

I GAIN A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOAL/GOALS.

We can set up a conference call, meet in person, or talk via Zoom to discuss your goals, high-level dreams, ruminations & even napkin sketches.

WE ESTABLISH RAPPORT.

As a result of our discovery, we will determine if a sufficient level of trust & rapport has been established for both of us to feel confident & optimistic about entering into a working relationship. I value friendship over opportunity.

WE SHARE CONFIDENCE IN AN AGREED APPROACH.

I'll put together a white paper to outline the project's scope.

We'll set up a time to walk through it & air out concerns.

There are many ways to take inventory & accomplish discovery. I won't list frameworks here, but they exist & they are thorough. Before getting started, we'll define & agree on the budget, timeline & other expectations.

We should have confidence in the approach, understand all variables in play & feel excited to get started.

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WE WORK TOWARD A COMPLETED DRAFT.

THE PRIMARY PRODUCTION PHASE OF THE PROJECT.

As we move into this phase, we should have a clear, uncomplicated understanding of roles, responsibilities & expectations.

Depending on the scope & complexity of the project, this phase can span a few weeks (e.g., in drafting/editing a speech, presentation, or high-level strategic documents) or many months (e.g., in creating/editing a book/multiple books/manuals).

We'll work the plan at the pace determined (Stage 1), which gets us to your definition of "done" by your deadline. We'll operate within an established working rhythm of creating + revising + editing. You'll be actively tracking progress or making progress & weighing in at regular intervals.

There should never be a prolonged fit of work being "accomplished" in an unchecked direction. We want to maximize communication & minimize sideways energy.

A COMPLETED DRAFT IS A FRAMEWORK FULLY POPULATED WITH CONTENT & ROUGH-EDITED FOR COMPLETENESS.

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WE REVISE UNTIL A FINAL DRAFT IS "DONE."

THE MAJOR COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN CREATED, DRAFTED & ASSEMBLED.

We have a completed draft. We have processed feedback in regularly planned cycles & made adjustments along the way.

Now we kick into high gear with revisions & edits.

This is where the project goes from good to great, becoming something you'll be proud to put your name on. You've brought your unique experience, voice & perspective. I've helped us arrive at an elegant solution.

WHEN IS IT DONE?

In our partnership, you own the timeline. You (your deadline) determine the end of the phase. We'll continue working to make progress until we reach a point of "done" as defined by you.*

*Projects involving written, spoken, or recorded language rarely reach a point of completion in the minds of respectable writers & creators. It can always be more focused. However, we'll have to stop editing at a determined time.

The product will be a "high-quality capture."

I AM CONFIDENT IN THE FOLLOWING.

> It'll look & feel as you imagined it (or better than you imagined it) from early on.

> You'll have a sense of clarity & enjoy the peace only clarity can bring.

> The problems will be clearly articulated & ready to approach confidently.

> The campaign will have the right heart.

> The presentation will be stunning.

> The book will reflect your sensibilities in your voice. It will be ready to publish or distribute.

WHEN WE REACH THIS POINT, WE CAN “HIT PRINT” & RESET FOR WHAT’S NEXT.