High-Performance Partnerships - National Academy of Public ...

Informal communications strategies are less
effective in these situations. There, the opportunity
for misinformation and misunderstanding
is greater.
At the same time, communications technologies
have made national meetings and virtual
partnerships a growing phenomenon.
Conference calls, satellite broadcasts, webcasts,
and Internet “communities of practice” convene
large numbers of geographically distant
partners. National organizations bring their
communications infrastructures. Coalitions
often use electronic newsletters, listservs, and
conferences to convey information. Large
numbers can receive consistent, accurate, and
quick information. In addition to the formal
communications infrastructure, members frequently
disseminate information through their
personal networks. These dynamic vehicles
create further unanticipated support.
Listening is key to ensure that a project will
work at the local level. National partnerships
often rely on local affiliates to carry forward a
“message” at the teachable moment.
Sustaining the effort past the initial “splash” is
critical. Since local, state, and regional organizations
must balance the national effort with
local priorities, communications must surface
competing demands for time and resources.
Face-to-face interaction during the development
phase is critical to obtain local input.
Building regional partnerships among affiliates
and the supporting communications mechanism
are very important.
ORGANIZATIONAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
Partnership scope can significantly impact the
complexity, size, and attributes of the organizational
structure. As scope grows, so too will
the number of partners and stakeholders.
More formalized decision-making structures
are required to deal with this complexity and
ensure that diverse interests are appropriately
represented. As a partnership grows, so must
its sensitivity to consensus building among
diverse, demanding, and political national
partners. A state or national partnership probably
cannot rely on informal breakfasts at the
neighborhood diner. It more likely would
require a state dinner at the White House.
“With just a few keystrokes, national organizations
can reach their entire membership with breaking
news about the partnership. As information on
noteworthy initiatives is forwarded to other personal
and professional networks, support for the
partnership may grow exponentially.”
Lindsey Cometa, Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services
By virtue of the huge constituencies represented
by national partners involved with the Caregiver
Workgroup, CMS has accessed an audience of 400
employers with a potential employee audience of
50 million employees. This is the ultimate impact
of scope as portrayed by a national partnership.
Spencer Schron, Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services
127 Powering the Future: High-Performance Partnerships