Partnering
Good Business Partnering isn’t magic. It’s mindset, capability, and practice.
Support function? Not anymore.
Partnering is a practical, in-house program that helps HR and corporate service teams shift from reactive support to strategic contribution. Built by experienced Business Partners who’ve led teams across functions, the program is designed for organisations running—or moving toward—a business partnering model.
Start with Alignment
Before the program begins, we work with your HR leadership team to get clear on your model, your language, and what’s getting in the way.
Our alignment process includes:
- Discovery interviews with key stakeholders
- A targeted Alignment Workshop with the HR leadership team
- A tailored approach based on where you’re starting
- Because good partnering starts with shared expectations.
Who It’s For?
Whether you call them Business Partners, People Partners, or Strategic Advisors, this program is for:
- HR Business Partners
- Corporate functions using a partnering model (Safety, Finance, Procurement, IT)
- Teams ready to move beyond 'order taking'
- Leaders of Business Partners looking to make partnering stick
Why Partnering?
Why Now?
Organisations are asking more of their internal teams—with fewer layers and less room for error. The model is shifting. Expectations are rising.
Support functions need to contribute earlier, influence more confidently, and partner more effectively. That requires capability—not just good intent.
Partnering for the Now
A People Game Perspective
When pace and complexity collide, leaders do not need more advice.
They need better conversations.
They want expertise, yes—but they also want someone who can explore with them. Someone who can sit in the ambiguity. Someone who leads with curiosity, not certainty.
Too often, Business Partners show up in tell mode or stay stuck in do mode. Now is not the time.
The People Game’s Partnering Program helps HR and corporate service teams shift from service providers to strategic contributors—equipped to:
- Navigate ambiguity with leaders
- Work the real problems
- Offer better advice, not just faster answers
- Add value where it matters most
- It’s sharp. It’s commercial. And it’s grounded in real work.
“Finally, a program that helps our internal teams lead thinking, not just follow instructions.”
Executive, Insurance Organisation
What We Cover
This is not a generic skills course. It’s practical, grounded, and focused on what makes partnering work.
- Reframing the BP role: from expert to partner
- Context before contribution: understand the business first
- Appetite, capacity, capability: the three swim lanes
- Consulting mindset: structure, value propositions, and relevance
- Conversations that shift perception and build trust
- Making partnering visible, credible, and sustainable
How It’s Delivered
- Delivered in-house over two days
- Tailored through stakeholder discovery and leadership alignment
- Facilitated by experienced practitioners
- Supported by a practical suite of worksheets, tools, and prompts
- Follow-up resources housed in our Partnering Hub
No role play. No fluff. Just relevant content that lands.
Delivered by People Who’ve Done the Work
This program is led by three professionals who’ve been Business Partners themselves—and led teams of BPs across multiple functions:
Meredith Wilson
Culture and leadership expert with deep executive experience
Adam Taylor
Leadership designer and partnering provocateur
Paul McAuley
Strategic facilitator and former Head of OD
They bring real-world insight, sharp facilitation, and a deep understanding of how partnering plays out in practice.
The Partnering Hub
After the workshop, participants and leaders gain access to our Partnering Hub—a curated space with tools, templates, short videos, and follow-up resources to help embed learning and continue the shift.
It’s not a forum or community. It’s a clean, on-demand resource to keep partnering practical, visible, and alive in the work.
Let’s Build Better Partners
If your teams are ready to shift how they partner—let’s talk. We’ll tailor the approach to your context and help you move from service delivery to strategic contribution.
Looking to build individual BP capability?
The public version of our Partnering Program is designed for organisations with one or a few Business Partners ready to lift their capability.
We run it once per year—so if you’re interested, don’t wait.
We’ll let you know when the next intake opens.
