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8 ways to create powerful friends amongst your partners

13th Jan 2013
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If you are going to make it to partnership in your firm, you will need some powerful friends amongst the equity partners. After all, you will not be there in person to fight your case - or even pitch your case. Who will be doing it for you? That's why you need some powerful friends amongst the equity partners.

So, how do you build up this power base? Particularly if you are part of a big firm?

1. Build up your internal and external market value

It's a given that your client work needs to have done some of the talking for you. Your financials need to be strong, and clients need to be saying good things about you. i.e. you need to be in demand both by partners in the firm and clients external to the firm.

2. Take part in cross-firm initiatives and projects

There are always opportunities to get involved in cross firm projects outside of your client work. Do choose carefully, and aim to be present on committees, steering groups, projects or even assignments where you will get to increase your internal network and contact with key influential partners. 

3. Talk to partners outside of your department

Create the time to go and get to know partners outside of your department. Do take this opportunity to ask them about what the practice needs in its new partners. Get their views on your personal business case. There is no stronger advocate than a partner who feels that they have had a say in your personal business case... 

You may find our FREE guide to building your personal networking strategy useful, email required.

4. Avoid having a fixed date in time when you have to be a partner

One of the faux-pas that many potential partners make is having a fixed idea of when they need to be a partner. Equity partners get incredibly cheesed off hearing that 'so-and-so' has to be a partner by next year. By all means have an 'ideal timescale' in your head, or a provisional loose timescale that you are publicly working towards. Just don't go around telling partners that you will be a partner by this point in time... (For other tips and practical help on creating your personal business case for partnership, download our FREE guide to writing your personal business case for partnership.)

5. Go to firm socials

These normally give you great access to many of the firm's partners who you would not normally bump into. Take the opportunity to talk to partners you don't know at these events and also organise a 1:2:1 later. 

6. Take an strong interest in them and their part of the practice

Almost treat your partners as if they are your best client - after all, they are probably the biggest stakeholder in your career right now.

7. Choose an influential mentor

I clearly remember working with the head of audit at my old firm. I was amazed how much influence and power this partner yielded. These are the people who can easily facilitate your path to partnership and 'sell' you to the other partners. (Who are these partners in your firm?) Sometimes just the association between the two of you is enough to get the partners to vote for you.

You may find our FREE (email required) guide for mentees useful reading to help you get the most out of your relationship with your mentor.

8. Find referrals for them

There is nothing quite like bringing in high quality referrals for other partners to generate a great fan base for you. Partners love work winners and in particular, work winners who bring in stuff for them personally.

You may find our FREE guide to building your personal networking strategy useful, email required.

In summary

If you are to successfully make the transition up to partnership, then you will need a fan base amongst the partners in your firm. (For other tips and practical help on creating your personal business case for partnership, download our FREE guide to writing your personal business case for partnership.)

To kick start your journey to partnership, how about joining me at the 'how to make partner' conference in London on the 24th April 2013?

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