Partner with Purpose

A step-by-step guide to solving business, social, and environmental challenges, informed by leading Fortune 500 companies.

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About Steve

For two decades, Steve Schmida has been at the forefront of corporate sustainability and global development, helping clients develop cross-sector partnerships to tackle wicked problems from climate change to human trafficking. He is the Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Resonance, an award-winning global development and corporate sustainability consulting firm with more than 100 consultants and offices in Vermont, Washington, D.C., Seattle, and Manila.

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“Partner with Purpose is brilliant, ingeniously combining rich case studies with practical frameworks. Steve Schmida’s book should be required reading for anyone looking to develop strong and mutually beneficial partnerships.”

Efosa OjomoSenior Fellow, Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, and co-author of The Prosperity Paradox

“Partner with Purpose is a very practical and readable guidebook for business professionals looking to solving 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 DaughertyVice President, Global Sustainable Agriculture and Responsible Sourcing, PepsiCo

“Partnerships play a huge role in life, business, and success. Schmida writes a literate, readable, wise person’s primer for threading the pitfalls and joys of partnership, making it work for you and your world. Focused on international projects led by public private cooperation, his advice—applicable to life’s many challenges—is a golden nugget hidden in a pasteboard cover.”

Thomas R. Pickeringformer U.S. Under Secretary of State, Ambassador to the UN, Russia, India, and Israel, and Vice President of Boeing

“This is an important book for government, private-sector, and third-sector leaders and change makers. No government, no company, no foundation, and no NGO can solve big problems alone—they require multi-stakeholder solutions. This book is a handbook representing the state of the art for a way of doing business that is here to stay.”

Daniel F. RundeSenior Vice President and Schreyer Chair in Global Analysis, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Partnership Concept Template

This document summarizes the main features of the partnership and can be an extremely effective tool for developing the shared vision for success.

For context, see “Chapter 7: Closing the Deal.”

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Partnership Agreement Template

Partnership agreements can come in many forms and bear various names: a memorandum of understanding, a memorandum of agreement, a letter of intent. Although you will want to have legal counsel provide input, this template can help you think through some of the elements your partnership agreement needs to cover.

For context, see “Chapter 7: Closing the Deal.”

Download Template

Corporate Sustainability

Frontier markets offer growth opportunities and cost-effective supply chains, but they are complex. Challenging environments can prevent firms from scaling corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, executing cause campaigns, or achieving a social license to operate. Resonance has the creative vision to tackle your sustainability challenges and the local knowledge to get things done.

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Unlocking Markets

You know how to take your business to new markets, but some markets aren’t like others. Frontier markets present unique challenges that often require new business models and different approaches. Resonance can help your business unlock value in even the most daunting of markets. From innovative business model design to navigating complex local dynamics, Resonance has the creative vision to tackle your challenges and the local knowledge to get it done.

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