Partner with Purpose: Solving 21st Century Business Problems Through Cross-Sector Collaboration

by Steve Schmida

In the 21st century, businesses are increasingly faced with complex, "wicked" problems—challenges with social and environmental dimensions they cannot solve on their own. Such problems are especially common in the frontier markets of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eurasia. In many cases, the best solution is to create cross-sector partnerships with organizations from outside the business world—nonprofits, foundations, government agencies, universities, and more. The resulting partnerships can generate business value as well as positive social impact, thereby benefiting companies and communities alike.

Partner with Purpose by Steve Schmida is a step-by-step guide to planning, launching, managing, and growing cross-sector partnerships, illustrated with vivid real-life stories from the author's work with companies around the world. It explains how to recognize when a cross-sector partnership is the right tool for tackling a business problem, how to find potential partners from beyond the for-profit sphere, and how to develop viable solutions to the wicked problem you face. It describes the unique challenges you’ll face, from the differing vocabularies and assumptions employed by nonprofit leaders to the difficulties of reconciling visions among organizations with different values and goals. You’ll learn how the notorious “Valley of Partnership Death” has caused many promising projects to fail, and the four key steps smart leaders employ to survive it; and you’ll learn why internal buy-in is such a crucial factor in the success of any partnership, and the techniques smart managers use to achieve it.

Along the way, you’ll discover a host of powerful tools that can help you organize, govern, monitor, and measure the effectiveness of your partnership initiative, including the Project Concept Paper, the Partnership Scorecard, and more. Finally, you’ll learn how successful partnerships can be brought to scale, creating sustainable solutions that can generate impressive economic value for years to come while benefiting society and the environment.

Today more than ever, business leaders are required to combine the quest for profit with social and environmental responsibility. For such leaders, Partner with Purpose is an essential source.

“Schmida does a superb job of covering all aspects of examining types, identifying high-potential ones, forging and managing a collaboration (including a seven-step process), securing commitments, effectively structuring an alliance, negotiating, and writing agreements. Authoritative, all-encompassing, and richly detailed; a highly valuable partnership playbook.”—Kirkus Reviews

"Unlike many business books, this one isn't selling a method, a service, or other products; it is simply a thorough and practical work that knows its audience very well. This valuable guide is both a spirited entreaty and practical road map for powerful collaborations between businesses and mission-driven organizations. This highly practical guide will light the way for business owners and corporate executives seeking cross-sector partnerships."—BookLife Reviews (Editor’s Pick)

“Partner with Purpose is a very practical and readable guidebook for business professionals looking to solve big problems through collaboration with NGOs, governments, academics, and communities. The book combines useful tools with the real-life experiences of those on the front lines of sustainable business.”—Christine Daugherty, Vice President, Global Sustainable Agriculture and Responsible Sourcing, PepsiCo

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2020

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn how to create value through partnerships

Partner with Purpose by Steve Schmida is 225 page partnership playbook for the smallholder farmer in rural India to the CEO of a Fortune 500 company who is invested in the new normal of 21st century business. Business today is much more complex and has economic, social, and environmental dimensions that will truly never be solved, but a savvy leader can learn processes for continuous improvement (Schmida, 2020). Partner with Purpose can be found in the business and finance non fiction genre because of Schmida’s craft in addressing supply chain challenges, solutions for building and managing effective cross sector partnerships, and creating value for business, government and society. We rank Partner with Purpose at a 4.2 out of 5 for a niche in providing tips, tools, and insights that one can use to create value through intentional well-designed collaboration because as Schmida touts, unless everyone wins, everyone loses (Schmida, 2020).

Summary

In his book cataloging his experience in developing cross-sector partnerships, Steve Schmida uses his expertise to establish a framework for organizations considering engaging in a cross-sector partnership to drive innovations in order to meet complex or “wicked” challenges. The goal is not only to communicate Schmida’s lived experiences in such partnerships, showcasing both his successes and failures, but also to make this work a structured reference that the reader will return to time and again.
Schmida divides his book into two major parts. The first part, which spans about the first third of the book, represents an overview of cross-sector partnerships, the problems they are meant to solve, their various configurations, and why they matter to the modern organization. Within this part, Schmida introduces and discusses the nature of the “wicked” problem, which he defines as a complex challenge too large for one single organization to manage on its own. Examples include global climate change, labor exploitation, food and water insecurity, and global disease. When wicked problems emerge, there are a variety of stakeholders including local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), for-profit organizations and non-profit aid organizations that might be useful to combat the problem. It is within this context that organizations and businesses can choose a cross-sector partnership to advance their own goals, whether they are easing suffering or innovating for profit.
The second part of this book focuses on the technical details about how to build and manage partnerships, how to measure their results and what is required in an effective partnership team. It is important to point out that Schmida’s Partner with Purpose is a pragmatic book: it invites those considering cross-sector partnerships to think honestly about what they hope to achieve and what they hope to gain from such an endeavor. It lays out step by step the roadblocks and the opportunities associated with each stage of the process, and always invites the reader to engage with transparency and authenticity when working with others. As a technical reference, it is full of charts, easy to understand key points and bulleted lists that help the reader get right to the information they are searching for if they are in the process of engaging in a cross-sector partnership.
The final section of the book focuses on how to either scale up a partnership or how to exit one gracefully. The last chapters are crucial to this being a comprehensive text because it invites the reader to set idealism aside and think critically about their next steps. A wicked problem, Schmida relates to the reader, may have no ultimate solution, so knowing when a partnership has run its course is important. Furthermore, the innovations gained from a partnership may help to ease the burden of a wicked problem, but only if the innovation is expanded in breadth and depth. This is also something that needs to be carefully considered and examined. Schmida includes both frameworks near the end, providing the reader with a comprehensive life cycle of a cross-sector partnership, as well as a change in mindset about what they are meant to do, and what types of people should be involved in their creation and sustainability plans.

Evaluation

Schmnida does an excellent job of breaking down the creation of Smart goals and how to measure the metrics using real life examples. He uses large in scale examples from his consulting business a little too often to explain the need to have strong partnerships to have effective and efficient management and mutual respect while being cautious about what can occur when partners break down due to misunderstanding and organizational missteps. He also summarized that partnerships can and do fail due to assembling the wrong solutions or the wrong partners. This can impact the attainment of the goals.
There is a flow to the book where Schmida starts each chapter with a consultation story, many of which are international and large in scope-- this shows the real-world implementation of the steps he then describes later on in the chapter. He then breaks down each discrete step on how the partners come together to solve a wicked problem. The book was easy to read but there was a sameness in the stories and advice given. The stories, though initially interesting, became a little monotonous as the readers moved through the book, and we ultimately found we could skim the stories to get to the more concrete advice.

Use of Scmida’s Model in Education

Steve Schmida's Partner with Purpose is a well written and well organized book that discusses all the layers of successful partnerships from different models to the essentials of a partnership team. Though the book can open up the doors to many ideas as to how to cross collaborate, in the world of education, one of the most important challenges that educators face is "silo busting.” Schmida discusses how robust project management tools such as a partnership scorecard reinforce transparency and dedication to partner commitments. This tool, among others presented in Schmida’s work, could be adapted to developing interdisciplinary curricula and fostering cross-curricular teams and productive relationships among multiple stakeholders in education.
Some barriers to adapting this intervention are driven mainly by the siloed nature of education-- whether it be in departments, in schools or in districts. There are pressures on schools and educators to help students meet state benchmarks at certain time points which might not conform easily to the variable timetables presented by Schmida’s interventions. Interdisciplinary planning requires time and teachers will have to be free of union constraints to be able to achieve true collaborative partnerships. Accounting for this time is possible, but takes intent and focus among several interest groups in education in order for it to be successful. In sum, this book is fantastic for those who work in the corporate setting, but for educators, the agency to make the required decisions might be diffuse among the stakeholders, and require extra attention to manage. Accounting for the needs of post-secondary programs in coordinating successful partnerships also presents an additional layer of complexity that might not exactly fit Schmida’s framework.

Application

Steve Schmida talks about wicked business problems that can be solved by partnering with a team in his book Partner with Purpose. For him, when businesses are struggling with a complex issue, and they want to adjust course to combat the issue, the only way to achieve success is by finding the right partners on global markets and creating new business models for long-term success. The author introduces a variety of business scenarios, and provides advice on how to legally bind the partnership's responsibility. The book explores real-world business issues that businesses face and how to address them through good partnership. This book also discusses government and society collaborations that create business value. Through the formation of cross-cultural partnerships, which bring professionals from diverse cultures together, global partnerships can increase quantity equality in business. Author expressed partnerships need to be based on trust, empathy, authenticity, and mutual respect. Partnerships between business, civil society, governments, academics, and communities can be powerful tools for bringing everybody together. These groups should work together effectively so everyone can benefit from this. In addition to climate change, poverty, inequality, disease, justice, and other threats to the human kind, these can be solved by cross-sectional partnerships for the benefit of all.
In this way, for any of the stakeholders mentioned above, this book can act as an instructional guide and road map to tackling complex or wicked problems using cross-sector partnerships effectively. As a reference book, Schmida has laid out exactly what these partners need in order to work productively together-- provided that they are willing to be honest about their organizational goals in attempting a cross-sector partnership.

References
Schmida, S. (2020). Partnering with purpose. Solving 21st-century business problems through
cross-sector collaboration. Rivertown Books.

**Submitted on behalf of Nadira H, Alicia H, Kelli N, Samantha S, and Travis Z for Dr. Melideo's ED704 course.

[Kate Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduction
In Partner with Purpose: Solving 21st Century Business Problems Through Cross-Sector Collaboration, Steve Schmida puts forth the thesis that in the 21st century companies are confronting a range of business challenges with so many economic, social, technical, and political complexities that it is beyond the capacity of any one organization to address successfully. He names these challenges “wicked problems” and says that they are problems that have never been solved before and it is impossible for a single actor “whether a company, a government agency, or a community...to solve on their own. Schmida shares his expertise on the subject as someone who worked globally with cross-sector partnerships and is the founder of Resonance, a company specializing in fostering cross-sector partnerships solving wicked business problems across the world.
Schmida divides the book into two parts: first a theoretical approach to the concept of cross-sector partnerships and second, a tactical guide on how to be successful form partnerships. The first section, chapters 1-5, gives an overview of cross-sector partnerships, the problems they solve, what they look like, and why they are important. The second section, chapters 6-10, contains tactical recommendations on how to build and manage partnerships, measure results, and how to build a high performing partnership team. As we will discuss, the theoretical approach in section one makes a solid argument for using cross-sector partnerships. The tactical second section provides excellent advice on how to proceed in a cross-sector partnership; however, some of the concepts could be too optimistic in the use of all the strategies in real world pressures.
Summary
The main point of this book is that business problems are becoming increasingly more complex. Schmida notes, “a wicked problem has economic, social and environmental dimensions that interact with one another in ways that are ever-changing and unpredictable.” In addition, wicked problems cannot be solved by a single entity whether it be a company, government, or community in isolation. Instead, these problems require creative solutions and partnerships that go beyond organizational and industry boundaries to solve. Schmida argues that cross-sector partnerships are critical to addressing 21st century business problems and walks the reader through the journey of planning, implementing, and managing cross-sector partnerships. To prepare for a cross-sector partnership, Schmida stresses that it is critical to understand its purpose and application. To help readers envision this process and the types of factors to consider he provides examples, such as an experience early in his career when he served as the director of an American NGO called Eurasia Foundation (EFs). The head of Texaco in Kazakhstan reached out to him to help navigate a possible partnership between national and local government officials. Schmida cited several critical steps that would need to be implemented for the launch of the partnership. These steps include: clarity on the problem, transparent negotiations, defined roles and responsibilities, a decision-making framework, and stakeholder buy-in within their respective organizations.
Schmida emphasizes the importance of tracking and measuring the results of partnerships efforts and states “what gets measured, gets done.” The development of a respectful cross-sector partnership demonstrates value to all stakeholders which includes partners, society, government, communities, and applicable groups. A successful cross-sector partnership will be founded on stakeholders setting and achieving their goals, is a scalable and sustainable project, and identifies exit strategies.
Critique
The book is organized from Mr. Schmida’s earliest days in his career to the later days of his work. What is interesting is his ability to discern similar collaborative or relative problems from around the world and use his experiences and developed theory as a map or tool guide. We found his wicked problems to be interpretive in that what he might discern as a wicked problem might be different than what we might. Yet this book provides tools, tips, and guidance that are tried and true while trying to navigate a large-scale potential partnership (i.e, Greenpeace or the fishing industry) to small-scale (i.e., NGOs in developing countries). The point for us was his book is a tool for anyone and everyone which means he was aware of the power of collaboration from top to bottom, all leadership and management levels in between, and all personality temperaments.
This critique assesses key strengths and weaknesses of Schmida’s book from his content, presentation of material, and use of tables and charts to support his framework analysis to his voice and writing style. In the list below, please find our identified key strengths and key weaknesses of this book.
Strengths
Concepts and Frameworks
The first key strength is his analysis of ending partnerships both responsibility and ethically. Partnerships will end in one of two manners: positive with all goals being achieved and future scalable action steps or negative with a wrong solution or flawed partnership. Regardless of how the partnership ends when navigated correctly there should be residual trust, an openness to future partnerships, clear lessons learned, and an overarching sense of positivity from the experience.
A second key strength is his use of The Five Whys technique. This technique is complimentary with longer-term relationships, particularly if scaling the project is the question or assessing other problems with the partnership. These techniques are designed to add clarity, time sensitive markers, evaluate stakeholders changes, and take a deep dive into the problems thus finding solutions.
A third key strength of this book is the explanation of the LABS framework. This frame is learning, aligning, building, and scaling (LABS) partnerships. This framework is one that the author used repeatedly which speaks to the sustainability of this model.
A final strength is the definition of the valley of death. A normal and yet not often discussed concept in partnerships or timeline of partnerships The valley of death happens after the connections are made and without regular key conversations moving from talks from concept to reality the project will likely cease. This is also an identified weakness in this book.
Voice and Presentation
Schmida effectively uses international case examples to highlight important aspects of partnering from the initial concept to dissolution of the partnership. He concentrates nearly half of the book to foundational issues such as defining the decision to pattern and the scope of the partnership, addressing stakeholder perspectives, and establishing a Learn Align Build Sustain or Scale (LABS) framework.
The book builds on concepts from one chapter to the next, which provides an easy to read how-to-guide for those who are embarking on a partnership journey. The supportive tables and graphics are detailed enough to serve as a roadmap for more complex analysis, while the simple models can be used as quick visual aids. These user-friendly templates and checklists provide an excellent starting point for any experience level leader as evident by the author’s own experiences and examples shared throughout the book.
Schmida does a great job of explaining through storytelling what partnerships are, why they are important, the different ways that they can be structured and developed and managed and sustained. The author uses a consistent approach of introducing the story or scenario, challenge, key players and outcomes, lessons learned and tools that were used to help achieve desired goals and objectives. This makes the book very reader-friendly and easy to digest.
Weaknesses
Concepts and Frameworks
A notable key weakness is in the presentation or construction of the book for example, Schmida uses examples that do not exactly fit the chapter narrative nor flow of the chapter. One such example is found in chapter 2 about the PepsiCo company and their attempt to understand their problem with problem assessment. Chapter 2 started strong with an example of the fishing industry and the turbulent relationships between key fishing families with either local or international governments; however the slight shift or one sentence mention of the PepsiCo struggles from another chapter felt like an attempt to reach page requirements.
A second weakness stemming as an example of a strength from the concept of the valley of death is the author’s advocating the use of his seven step process to assure buy-in. He used an example of building a partnership in Kazakhstan where it seemed unlikely he had time to work through all seven steps to assure stakeholder buy-in. His description of the project appears to be unorganized in real life, but reads as organized chaos. Schmida said during that project they had 30 meetings in one week, and by our calculations, that is at least five meetings a day almost and we all know these kinds of meetings are not immediately productive particularly in relationship-centric cultures such as Kazakhstan.
Fourth key weakness is his use of the element of serendipity in the book. The fishing industry was the first example of a serendipitous or clandestine meeting that resulted in the use of Schmida’s techniques. What was not clear nor discussed in this book was how many times serendipitous meetings were the reason any movement or collaboration was started.
Voice and Presentation
Only one weakness was identified by the group and that was the book, while interesting and informative, some members felt it did not rise to the same level as other professional development books that would be worth re-reading - several times.
Conclusion
Key takeaways from reading this book include the increasing complexity of business challenges that require cross-sector partnerships, necessary due diligence in understanding and clarifying the problem being solved, assessing the value of a cross-sector partnership, creating strong foundations for the partnership by honestly negotiating and formally defining agreements, and diligently tracking and measuring the partnerships progress and results to ensure that goals and outcomes are achieved, thus sustaining and evolving the partnership. This book provides an engaging guide for navigating the cross-sector partnership process and argues that the most important element for the success of these partnerships is investing up front to make sure that all goals and the level of commitment align and trust is built. The perfect leader or audience for this book is an emerging leader to an advanced leader, essentially any leader who is entering a collaborative partnership involving several entities.

Submitted by C.B., P.H., M.P., and K.M. for MU ED704, Dr. S. Melideo

[Shama Akhtar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Group members: Shama Akhtar, Chantel Simms, Joyce Roberts

Introduction
Unlock the power of purpose-driven success with 'Partner with Purpose' by Steve Schmida, the groundbreaking guide redefining how we do business. Schmida dives deep into strategic partnerships, showing you how to transform your organization into a purpose-driven powerhouse, offering invaluable insights and strategies for individuals and organizations looking to make a positive impact while boosting their bottom line. In a landscape where strategic alliances are the driving force behind success, Schmida's book is your GPS to navigate the complexities of collaboration, turning them into opportunities for meaningful impact. Get ready to transform your partnerships and supercharge your purpose, one page at a time!

Summary
Cross-sector partnerships (CSP) are important in addressing complicated problems. These are collaborations between CSPs and are best used with what the author deemed a “wicked problem”. A wicked problem is large in scale and very complex in nature, so there is no one-person solution, and it often has economic, social, and/or environmental aspects that interact, and are unpredictable.
Schmida shares expertise in creating CSPs as a solution for wicked problems. The book details how “omniwins” benefit all partners, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), nonprofits, governmental entities, and private companies. Schmida uses the LABS framework, similar to project management, to create synergy within the partnership and, hopefully, alleviate the challenges and obstacles that may arise during a partnership. “Getting things done” and, as Schmida referenced it, “achieving extraordinary results” when working with others is all predicated on critical underlying needs that build an impenetrable foundation, including trust, quick visual wins, agile leadership, mutual accountability, detailed and compelling project management as well as an emphasis on relationships and communications.
Schmida shares the importance of seeking out organizations impacted by the same problem who may have already begun the work and stresses the need to put the time to go deeper and broader up front to carefully research and identify potential partners. The important component of this book is to remember that it does not say it has the answer or the solution to the “wicked problem” but describes how to implement it. As Scmida says, these problems (such as creating internet access for the world's rural population) are often so large that a single partnership will not solve the problem.

Critique
Schmida presented several interesting frameworks and models to further CSPs.The figures, tables, and other visualizations provided clarification of the theories being discussed but also the application of those theories to CSPs. While none of the frameworks were new or groundbreaking, the author’s application to cross-sector partnerships was unique.
Partner with a Purpose was well-written and thorough. Schmida is very passionate about the role CSPs play in the solution of these complex and complicated problems. The author used their personal experiences to add real-world context to the theory. This context provided guidance to the reader on the pros and cons of creating and implementing CSPs, how to test the fitness of a CSP, and if it is not a good fit, how to responsibly exit while emphasizing the principle of “do no harm.”

Organization and Voice
From organizational buy-in to closing the deal, Schmida discusses every angle of partnerships. When problems require many solutions and many stakeholders, it is worth building partnerships instead of climbing the mountain alone.
Overall, the book offered structure and guidance on implementing CSP with practical applications woven throughout. In the final chapter Schmida wrapped up offering very usable advice on the attributes required for a CSP and delineated roles that need to be filled to ensure the partnership has a structure to move forward successfully or not.

Mechanics and Language
Partnership with Purpose was an easy read. The stories embedded at the beginning of each chapter offered a narrative to view the application of the business principles at work. The sentence structures were concise and easy to follow more so than vibrant or creative. This book was written to leaders and provided the appropriate language that was effective for this audience.

Effectiveness
Finally, Schmida explores the transformative potential of cross-sector partnerships, where organizations from different sectors, such as business, government, and nonprofits, come together to tackle complex challenges. The book highlights numerous examples of successful cross-sector partnerships, demonstrating how these collaborations have led to innovative solutions, improved social outcomes, and increased sustainability. Schmida provides a practical framework for developing and managing cross-sector partnerships, outlining the key steps involved, the potential pitfalls to avoid, and the strategies for ensuring long-term success. For those seeking to harness the power of cross-sector collaboration, "Partner with a Purpose” is an essential guidebook.
This book is a solid read for organizational leaders who are facing high-stakes problems that cannot be solved in their company’s own capacity or possibly in their lifetime. Partnership with Purpose can also be applicable for anyone looking to move from the widely used term of collaboration to getting down to very practical steps of how to establish a truly collaborative partnership with those outside of your normal business sphere.

[Tigist]

In an era defined by "wicked problems"—challenges so complex they defy unilateral solutions—Steve Schmida's Partner with Purpose (2018) arrives as a necessary manual for the modern leader. Whether addressing corruption in Central Asia or healthcare deficits in Ghana, the line between corporate interest and social responsibility has blurred. Schmida argues that the future belongs to those who can build bridges between governments, NGOs, and the private sector. This book serves not merely as a theoretical exploration, but as a tactical guide for executing cross-sector partnerships that actually work. It is a must-read for those tired of "trying hard" and ready to start "working smart" through collaboration.

Summary of Themes

The central thesis of the book is that businesses, governments, and non-profits achieve exponential results—scale, sustainability, and systemic change—when they step out of their silos. Schmida moves beyond the "why" and deep dives into the "how" using the LABS framework: Learn, Align, Build, and Scale/Sustain.

The text navigates the lifecycle of a partnership, beginning with the "Learn" phase, where Schmida advocates for the "Five Whys" method to diagnose root causes (e.g., realizing a heart disease crisis is actually a hypertension diagnosis failure). It progresses through the friction of alignment and the necessity of internal stakeholder mapping. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the perilous "Valley of Partnership Death," a phase where inertia can kill a project. It offers project management strategies to survive it. Finally, the book concludes with the complex but necessary decision matrix of "Moving Up or Moving On," determining when to scale a partnership or when to take a graceful exit.

Critique

Schmida's flow of ideas is logical and deeply grounded in reality. Rather than relying on dry academic theory, the author uses a narrative approach, particularly in the early chapters. The inclusion of the Eurasia Foundation (EF) case study in Kazakhstan provides a compelling anchor, illustrating how oil giants like Chevron (Texaco) navigated local corruption and community needs. This narrative structure establishes context effectively before introducing heavy frameworks, allowing the reader to see the theory in action.

The book's arguments are persuasive because they address the "elephant in the room": the friction between profit motives and social good. Schmida does not shy away from the difficulties, such as "cross-purposes" or the "wrong problem" trap. However, the text is not without minor flaws. While the narrative flow is seamless, some visual aids—specifically charts and bulleted lists in the latter half of the book—can feel slightly disjointed or incomplete compared to the polished prose.

Nevertheless, the book succeeds primarily due to its focus on internal mechanics. Chapter 6 is a standout, highlighting a truth often ignored: a partnership frequently fails not because the partners disagree, but because the internal teams haven't bought in. The introduction of specific roles from "The Networker" to "The Donor Navigator" adds a layer of practical utility that elevates the book from a manifesto to a handbook.

Organization and Voice

The structure of Partner with Purpose mirrors the lifecycle of a project, making it intuitive for any project manager or executive to follow. The transition from the "alignment" phase to "implementation" feels natural. Schmida's voice is that of a seasoned veteran—pragmatic, empathetic, yet firm on accountability. He balances the "soft skills" of relationship building with the "hard skills" of measurement chains and results matrices. The writing is accessible but professional, using language that respects the reader's intelligence without resorting to excessive jargon.

Effectiveness and Recommendations

This is essential reading for anyone currently managing or considering a public-private partnership. The frameworks provided (like the Partnership Fitness Framework) are immediately applicable. Individuals seeking to mitigate corruption and ethical risks will find the specific approaches in Chapters 1–4 invaluable—long-standing employees who need to understand how their institutional knowledge fits into new, innovative collaborations.

If a person's business model does not rely on external stakeholder integration or government relations, the scope of this book may feel too broad for their immediate and specific needs. People in this category, such as solo entrepreneurs or small businesses, might pass on this one. Nevertheless, Schmida proves that while collaboration is messy, it is also manageable. Partner with Purpose is a robust tool for anyone looking to transform seemingly disorganized action into measurable, transformative impact.

[Sarad Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an era defined by "wicked problems"—challenges so complex they defy unilateral solutions—Steve Schmida's Partner with Purpose (2018) arrives as a necessary manual for the modern leader. Whether addressing corruption in Central Asia or healthcare deficits in Ghana, the line between corporate interest and social responsibility has blurred. Schmida argues that the future belongs to those who can build bridges between governments, NGOs, and the private sector. This book serves not merely as a theoretical exploration, but as a tactical guide for executing cross-sector partnerships that actually work. It is a must-read for those tired of "trying hard" and ready to start "working smart" through collaboration.

The central thesis of the book is that businesses, governments, and non-profits achieve exponential results—scale, sustainability, and systemic change—when they step out of their silos. Schmida moves beyond the "why" and deep dives into the "how" using the LABS framework: Learn, Align, Build, and Scale/Sustain.

The text navigates the lifecycle of a partnership, beginning with the "Learn" phase, where Schmida advocates for the "Five Whys" method to diagnose root causes (e.g., realizing a heart disease crisis is actually a hypertension diagnosis failure). It progresses through the friction of alignment and the necessity of internal stakeholder mapping. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the perilous "Valley of Partnership Death," a phase where inertia can kill a project. It offers project management strategies to survive it. Finally, the book concludes with the complex but necessary decision matrix of "Moving Up or Moving On," determining when to scale a partnership or when to take a graceful exit.

Schmida's flow of ideas is logical and deeply grounded in reality. Rather than relying on dry academic theory, the author uses a narrative approach, particularly in the early chapters. The inclusion of the Eurasia Foundation (EF) case study in Kazakhstan provides a compelling anchor, illustrating how oil giants like Chevron (Texaco) navigated local corruption and community needs. This narrative structure establishes context effectively before introducing heavy frameworks, allowing the reader to see the theory in action.

The book's arguments are persuasive because they address the "elephant in the room": the friction between profit motives and social good. Schmida does not shy away from the difficulties, such as "cross-purposes" or the "wrong problem" trap. However, the text is not without minor flaws. While the narrative flow is seamless, some visual aids—specifically charts and bulleted lists in the latter half of the book—can feel slightly disjointed or incomplete compared to the polished prose.

Nevertheless, the book succeeds primarily due to its focus on internal mechanics. Chapter 6 is a standout, highlighting a truth often ignored: a partnership frequently fails not because the partners disagree, but because the internal teams haven't bought in. The introduction of specific roles from "The Networker" to "The Donor Navigator" adds a layer of practical utility that elevates the book from a manifesto to a handbook.

The structure of Partner with Purpose mirrors the lifecycle of a project, making it intuitive for any project manager or executive to follow. The transition from the "alignment" phase to "implementation" feels natural. Schmida's voice is that of a seasoned veteran—pragmatic, empathetic, yet firm on accountability. He balances the "soft skills" of relationship building with the "hard skills" of measurement chains and results matrices. The writing is accessible but professional, using language that respects the reader's intelligence without resorting to excessive jargon.

This is essential reading for anyone currently managing or considering a public-private partnership. The frameworks provided (like the Partnership Fitness Framework) are immediately applicable. Individuals seeking to mitigate corruption and ethical risks will find the specific approaches in Chapters 1–4 invaluable—long-standing employees who need to understand how their institutional knowledge fits into new, innovative collaborations.

If a person's business model does not rely on external stakeholder integration or government relations, the scope of this book may feel too broad for their immediate and specific needs. People in this category, such as solo entrepreneurs or small businesses, might pass on this one. Nevertheless, Schmida proves that while collaboration is messy, it is also manageable. Partner with Purpose is a robust tool for anyone looking to transform seemingly disorganized action into measurable, transformative impact.

[Lindsay Muirhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: "Partner with Purpose: Solving 21st-Century Business Problems Through Cross-Sector Collaboration" by Steve Schmida

Introduction
Ranking: 4.5/5. "A roadmap to meaningful collaborations in a complex world."

In the age of globalization and intricate challenges, Steve Schmida's "Partner with Purpose: Solving 21st-Century Business Problems Through Cross-Sector Collaboration" emerges as a beacon for businesses navigating the murky waters of social and environmental dilemmas. This non-fiction guide delves deep into the realm of cross-sector partnerships, offering a fresh perspective on tackling today's most pressing issues.

Summary
Schmida's work underscores the rise of "wicked problems" in the 21st century, complex challenges that businesses cannot confront in isolation. The book champions the power of cross-sector partnerships, emphasizing collaborations with diverse entities like nonprofits, government agencies, and universities to solve wicked problems. Through real-life examples, Schmida paints a vivid picture of how these alliances can simultaneously drive business value and catalyze positive societal change. However, the journey isn't without its pitfalls, and the author doesn't shy away from discussing the challenges and nuances of such collaborations.

Critique
Schmida's flow of ideas is commendable, presenting arguments with clarity and conviction. Introducing tools like the Project Concept Paper and the Partnership Scorecard provides practical insights for readers. However, while the book offers a plethora of examples, a deeper dive into some case studies would have enriched the narrative. The emphasis on the "Valley of Partnership Death" is particularly intriguing, shedding light on why many promising projects don't see the light of day.

Schmida’s stories about cross-sector partnerships are inspirational and powerful. His story-telling style allows the reader to relate and remember the lessons offered. Each chapter is written with a brief summary of key takeaways upfront, and each chapter concludes with the takeaways again to help with retention. It would be interesting if Schmida decides to write a second edition to this book to offer cross-sector partnership examples and lessons learned during the COVID-19 era to further prove or expand his points.

The text effectively presents a strategic flow of ideas on creating successful cross-sector partnerships. Interestingly, the tools utilized by Schmida can also be applied to personal and professional partnerships. The use of real-life examples to support theoretical concepts was helpful in illustrating practical application. Overall, the book is well-written and geared towards those who are new to the concept of cross-sector partnerships.

Organization and Voice
The book is structured logically, guiding readers from the genesis of wicked problems to the culmination of successful partnerships. Transitions are seamless, making for an engaging read. Schmida's voice resonates with authority and experience, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience.

Mechanics and Language
Schmida's writing style is crisp, with complete and vibrant sentence structures. The vocabulary employed is effective, striking a balance between academic rigor and general accessibility.

Effectiveness
"Partner with Purpose" is a must-read for business leaders, policymakers, and academicians interested in cross-sector collaborations. However, those looking for a light read might find it a tad dense. The book is particularly beneficial for those aiming to establish impactful partnerships in today's complex business landscape.

[Shawn Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading through the headlines of any national or international newspaper today, you will find a veritable cornucopia of "wicked problems." A global pandemic, food insecurity, shifting climate patterns, and unstable governments represent just a few of the issues that threaten humankind. So how do we solve these wicked problems? How can we overcome these challenges that threaten our very existence? Steve Schmida, author of Partner with Purpose: Solving 21st Business Problems Through-Cross Sector Collaboration, believes cross-sector partnerships between business, nonprofits, and governments provides the best hope to solve these seemingly intractable problems. Schmida defines cross-sector partnerships as collaborations between industry, nonprofit, and government sectors to achieve common goals. However, this type of cross-collaboration doesn't happen by chance. It takes discipline, communication, and continual iteration to forge and sustain these complex partnerships.

Schmida's work offers a comprehensive road map of how to establish and sustain a collaborative environment between seemingly disparate organizations. Starting with the formation of partnerships and defining the problem to solve, through creating frameworks to help you learn, align, build, and sustain (LABS) sustained through clear data processes, to deciding whether to scale, sustain, or exit the collaboration, Schmida offers real tools and protocols to ensure success when entering into a complex partnership. An example of these suggestions would be defining a problem early to avoid partners focusing on different things. It is important to identify shared concerns and shared goals to avoid failed partnerships. Interspersed between these sometimes dry topics are real-world examples of the concepts in action. Examples like sustaining the Thai fishing industry after worldwide reports of slavery on ships and providing education to Syrian refugees in Jordan help convince the reader of both the efficacy and possibility of the processes Schmida espouses. A key takeaway is how the Thai Union pulled in partners from unexpected fields. For example, the Migrant Workers Rights Union (MWRN) opposed the Thai Union because of mistreated workers. However, MWRN became a partner serving as an advisor on workers' rights. In addition to the Thai Union's wicked problem, Schmida explained a circular economy's complexities and shared value. The scale and scope of a circular economy emphasized the need for cross-sector partnerships. These examples and the processes he offers help the reader envision how they can successfully navigate through the "valley of partnership death" when establishing and sustaining complex collaborations.

While the processes Schmida offers, detailed through real-world examples, provide a powerful roadmap for others, the book's organization is almost too dense. The reader sometimes feels overwhelmed with all that Schmida offers. Ending each chapter with a summary and bulleted lists would help the reader conceptualize these complex ideas. It really takes a few repeat readings to absorb all that is included. Maybe it is fitting that a book about solving complex problems challenges the reader with complex processes. Reading this practical guide on creating, building, and sustaining complex collaborations gives one hope that maybe the world's problems that scream at us through headlines and sensational stories can be solved, making newspapers seem a little less scary.

[Melanie P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where can you read about potato farmers in India and PepsiCo as a partnership? In Steve Schmida's Partner with Purpose!

Solving “WICKED” problems requires the WISDOM of cross-sector partnerships. This book is in the business and finance non-fiction genre and is helpful if one needs a methodical way to develop cross-sector partnerships on a large scale. The major themes are partnership attributes, collaborative implementation, measures of success, and partner etiquette. Schmida speaks from an experiential position as he provides insight into Fortune 500 companies and non-governmental organizations. Each chapter of this book describes a specific aspect of cross-sector collaborations, including examples from a variety of industries, thus helping create a framework for business professionals to potentially apply within their own organizations. The book is easy to follow as Schmida guides you on partnership development, scope, impact, and sustainability. Leaders from diverse sectors can benefit from the lessons learned about mutual interests in goal setting, collaboration, authenticity, scaling up, and project management. Schmida delivers an inspirational analysis of how cross-sector partnerships can significantly impact the lives of people in a small village or across the span of several countries. Ultimately, the framework and analysis provided in this book is a step in the right direction towards changing the wicked and complex problems that plague us, not only as individual organizational leaders, but as society as a whole.

Schmida does a good job with the selection of brand-name companies to use as case studies for cross-sector partnerships. He analyzes the success, failures, and lessons learned from these partnerships in a way that easily applies to many businesses, educational institutions, or health care organizations. The flow of his step-by-step method includes defining partner attributes, articulating the “why” for the partnership, acting on critical aspects to “close the deal”, scaling the success of the partnership, and professionally exiting the deal when appropriate. If the focus had been on collaboration with NGOs and multinational corporations, this is an ideal book. The critique is collaboration in the business world is much more broad in scope. For example, some business development relies on collaboration between small and large businesses, such as federal government contracts. In this example, a large business must partner with a small business in order to be awarded federal contracts and specific examples of this sort of collaboration would be more practical. These examples further the collaborative partnerships Schmida writes about and why anyone desiring to further a collaborative partnership should read this book.

[Riza Wold · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is focused on cross-sector partnerships and their potential to solve some of the world's most complex issues involving economic, social, and environmental dimensions that interact in unpredictable ways known as “wicked problems.”  The author begins by sharing a story about a global food company and a poor farmer in India who supplied potatoes to the company. This story and the rest of the first chapter lay the foundation for defining a wicked problem, distinguishing it from other regular issues, and introducing cross-sector partnerships to address them. With this background, the author sets the stage for an in- depth look at cross-sector partnerships and how to form, sustain, maintain, and, if needed, discontinue them.

The book is organized as a step-by-step guide to cross-sector partnerships. The initial portion covers the nature of cross-sector partnerships, how they work, and why they matter. It then delves into the specifics of selecting partners and building and managing such alliances. The author uses practical case studies that highlight the challenges and complexities of such partnerships, the benefits they bring, and the critical skills required to make them work. Different types of partnerships are discussed, and a seven-step process for creating and managing them is provided. The author then explores how to get things done with partners, outlining the six attributes of successful partnership implementation and discussing how to track and measure the results of collaborative efforts. Throughout the book, the author includes stories of successful partnerships, demonstrating the practical application of the partnership concepts and frameworks discussed.

The book also covers the conditions for scaling projects, sustaining partnership results, and responsibly ending an alliance when necessary. In the final chapter, the author provides expert advice on the personal qualities required for building and managing partnerships and highlights
individuals' roles in a partnership. This is important, especially when selecting individuals to help play various critical roles in ensuring the success of the partnership and the project.

The book is easy to read, comprehensive, authoritative, and well-detailed, making it an essential guide for anyone interested in building and managing cross-sector partnerships. It includes charts and appendices to aid in understanding and implementation. It is recommended for those looking to start cross-sector partnerships, those tasked to solve wicked problems, and those already in cross-sector partnerships.

[Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schmida’s Partner with Purpose provides foundational insight on building and maintaining cross-sector partnerships for new collaborators

Group rating: 4/5 ⭐️

———

Steve Schmida’s Partner with Purpose is a timely and practical exploration of why cross-sector partnerships are essential for addressing the “wicked problems” of the 21st century. Reading this as a group revealed how widely Schmida’s insights resonated across our professional experiences in business, government, and nonprofit work. At its core, the book argues that collaboration across sectors is no longer optional but a strategic necessity, one that can generate both social impact and business value when done with intentionality.

A foundational concept we discussed was Schmida’s definition of a cross-sector partnership as “a voluntary collaboration between two or more organizations from different sectors that leverage their respective resources, expertise, or networks to address complex social challenges.” This clear and accessible framing reminded us that effective partnerships are not driven by lofty rhetoric but by the deliberate alignment of assets to achieve tangible outcomes.

The book’s introduction set a compelling tone, with quotes like “that farmer’s livelihood is critical to our collective prosperity” and “working across sectors is not a natural instinct.” These lines grounded Schmida’s frameworks in lived human realities, livelihoods, trust, and shared purpose. We particularly appreciated the practical models he introduced, such as the Results Chain, which links motivations to outcomes, and the Partnership Scorecard, which offers a structured tool for evaluation. The “Valley of Partnership Death,” where many collaborations falter, was a memorable and realistic concept that resonated deeply across our group.

However, our discussions also highlighted some limitations. While Schmida’s emphasis on structure and process is valuable, it sometimes leaves less room for the ambiguity and improvisation that experienced practitioners know are part of every authentic cross-sector partnership. Recognizing these gray areas would have deepened Schmida’s otherwise strong contribution to understanding how collaboration functions in the real world. Some group members also felt that certain sections, particularly those reinforcing why partnerships matter, became repetitive, while others wanted more candid exploration of failed partnerships and unintended consequences.

Our group agreed that Partner with Purpose is best suited for emerging leaders, new managers, or professionals stepping into roles requiring cross-sector collaboration. It serves as an excellent primer for those seeking frameworks, vocabulary, and foundational tools to begin leading partnerships effectively. However, for seasoned practitioners who have been navigating cross-sector collaborations for years, the book may feel somewhat elementary or procedural. As one group member noted, “I wouldn’t recommend this to peers with a decade of partnership experience—but it’s ideal for our subordinates who aspire to lead these efforts one day.”

Ultimately, Partner with Purpose stands as a practical and structured guide for designing, managing, and sustaining partnerships with intention. It provides language, frameworks, and reflection prompts that can elevate collaboration from aspiration to action. While its prescriptive tone may not fully capture the nuance of real-world partnership dynamics, it remains an invaluable resource for those entering the field or seeking to formalize their approach to cross-sector work.

[Peppericka Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

GOOD READS: BOOK CLUB 4
by SUSAN HENDERSON-UTIS; TAMIKA HOLMES; WILLIAM JOHNSON; PEPPER MARTIN; and CHRISTINE VALADEZ
Often when many people think about business, we may think about precise and eloquent concepts that can at times be intimidating; however, in this book, Schmida offers a very basic summation of what needs to be done to build cross-sector partnerships. In essence, he promotes relying on trust and problem-solving as the foundational components of building effective cross-sector partnerships. In summary, Schmida’s book is not a “how-to guide,” but rather offers insight into the importance of building cross-sector partnerships and highlights companies who’ve done this successfully as well as those who have failed. Schmida emphasizes that despite failure, it is important not to dismiss the value of the concept of corporate partnerships. In addition. he acknowledges the complex and critical variables (for example the political conflicts in Sri Lanka) but reduces them to non-factors. He ignores the role that luck can play in partnerships and pre-supposes that a few simple guidelines are all it takes to create long-lasting and impactful partnerships.
As noted above, Schmida provides a helpful framework for those who are just starting out and are interested in the concepts behind cross-sector partnerships. Alas, for those who already have more real-world experience, Schmida offers little in the way of practical, actionable strategy or insight. Consequently, the stage of the business developmental stage you are in will determine the effectiveness of the content offered in this book. Business rocket scientists, beware!

[Chris Bautz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve Schmida draws on a wealth of globetrotting experiences in the government, non-profit, and business sectors to provide the reader with engaging and relatable case studies that illustrate his approach to creating, executing, and ending partnerships. Schmida is clear, each chapter typically outlines five or six key points on the given topic, and he very effectively uses graphic representations, such as tables, to create models that the reader can apply to their own partnering endeavors. This may not be a book I read several times cover to cover, but it will become a well-used part of my reference shelf.

[Timothy Prewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding practical guide to creating award-winning global partnerships. Steve Schmida has made this work compelling through personal stories, and takes the reader on journies around the world. Ultimately, for Schmida, partnerships make the world a better place. A great read.

[Pepper Bonay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book at the beginning; however, as I continued, it became redundant. The information and advice were very basic and the author's tips were obvious and generic. There were some bright spots, however, overall, the book was redundant and lacked depth.

[Shannonmelideo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve worked in the nonprofit sector for a minute, you know the frustrating and daunting task that is building and creating partnerships. There is a nonprofit for just about everything and many with overlapping missions, making it challenging. More and more organizations are turning to partnerships as a way to solve an organizational problem or earn philanthropic points for good public relations. But what does it mean to partner across sectors? Does it even make sense? Partner with a Purpose sets out to break down the pros and cons for companies considering partnerships across sectors. Schmida is the founder and chief innovation officer of the global development and corporate sustainability consulting firm Resonance and his two decades experience is brilliantly displayed in this practical, hands-on guide.

Schmida’s experience is clear in his zero fluff language, easy to follow charts, and interesting case studies. Schmida discussed several cross-functional collaboration partnerships, ranging from joint project to joint program, to multiple stakeholder initiatives to collective impact initiatives. The foundational issue is determining which partnership is needed and is dependent on the complexity of the situation at hand as well as the number of needed partners to see systems-change. The most complex problems, or “wicked problems” according to Schmida, require a multidimensional solution. This is where partnerships and cross-sector work becomes critical. Schmida (2020) introduces the five whys concept - which is a helpful technique in any problem solving endeavor. It puts your brain into toddler mode and essentially stays unsatisfied with an answer to a “why” question until you are five “whys'' deep into the problem. One example in the book is Darian McBain’s challenges of working in Thailand’s seafood industry. As the PR for Thai Union she needed to address three wicked problems: 1) labor conditions; 2) unsustainable fishing practices; 3) legal and regulatory compliance. Basically, this company needed to find a way to improve its corporate social responsibility (CSR). As Thai Union was a small organization, it was obvious that they needed to find partners to deliver change.

While getting things done is critical in a partnership effort, ensuring proper measurement of progress and meeting expectations is paramount in building broad credibility beyond the partners while always verifying the team is measuring the right work, effort, and so on. This is where the agile leadership and compelling project management comes into play to ensure and facilitate relevant and appropriate mechanisms are in place for extraordinary results. Here, Schmida (2020) introduced the framework called LABS, an acronym for “learn, align, build, scale/sustain” (p. 58). LABS is a collaborative and synergistic framework where ideation, prioritizing, negotiations, collaborating a path forward and communicating more broadly as well as application and scaling the partnership and efforts forward to the broader community. “Getting things done” and as Schmida referenced it, “achieving extraordinary results” when working with others is all predicated on critical underlying needs that build an impenetrable foundation, including trust, quick visual wins, agile leadership, mutual accountability, detailed and compelling project management as well as an emphasis on relationships and communications.

From organizational buy-in to closing the deal, Schmida tackles every angle of partnerships. When the problems require many solutions and many stakeholders it is worth building partnerships instead of going up the mountain alone. The biggest hurdle to get over in this book is the blunt language that frequents the business literature genre, the repetitive messaging, and the author’s use of “wicked.” Though meant to be tongue and cheek, it detracts from the serious nature of the problems organizations face. This is a must read for anyone in corporate outreach or in the C-suite of a nonprofit. The practical, easily digestible and applicable information will change your partnership strategy for the better.

by C.H., S. M., and B. L-S. for ED 704 MU