The Proof is in the Pudding - How to Spot the Real Corporate Partnership Experts
’Tis the season for puddings, pavs and planning for 2026 - so it feels like the perfect moment to talk about proof. Because when it comes to selecting a corporate partnerships expert, the proof really is in the pudding.
Not the glossy slides.
Not the charm.
Not the pumped-up cv.
Just like a Christmas pudding, the only thing that matters is what’s inside - the recipe, the core ingredients, the method, and the results.
And that’s how you tell the real experts from the pretenders. So, if you’re thinking about getting some guidance on corporate partnerships in 2026, listen up!
When risk gives the Board the heebie-jeebies
Corporate partnerships carry real risk: money, reputations, relationships, and staff time. Boards are right to ask questions. So, before you hand over budget, precious hours and your reputation to an ‘expert’, make sure your consultant can answer the simplest, most revealing question of all:
“What partnerships has your process actually delivered?”
If the answer is unclear, vague, or wrapped in jargon… that’s your cue to politely back away.
You deserve advice that is proven, repeatable and grounded in evidence - not theory. Working on a partnership is one thing, but building a process that takes you from zero to several partners and millions of dollars - that’s a different ball-game.
Just ask Janet Grima, from Bully Zero, who is about to sign up her 7th partner after embedding BePartnerReady.com® recipe and method, and she already has six that have added $3m+ of untied funding to her bottom line.
Due diligence isn’t optional
Choosing a corporate partnerships consultant is like choosing a recipe for Christmas lunch - you want the one that works.
Here’s how to check:
- Look for real case studies, not hand-picked testimonials
- Check their LinkedIn - does their experience reflect what they claim to teach?
- Review their framework - does it provide Templates and examples for each step?
- Ask whether you can speak to past clients (you can with us)
- Look for recent, consistent, verifiable results
Non-profits don’t have the luxury of guesswork. Every dollar and hour counts.
Why BePartnerReady.com® is the real pudding
In the late 1990s, I began developing a corporate partnerships process for non-profits. For years I ran masterclasses teaching my process, but it became clear that people needed more than a 3-day intensive and a folder full of Templates - they needed something they could embed into their organisation, with support as they were doing it.
After years of trial, refinement, and many sacrificed weekends, the HeartSmart® Toolkit launched in 2006. It included ten steps that began with setting an Intention and finished with pitching to qualified prospects. With clear instructions, Templates, real world examples, and guidance along the way, it realised immediate results:
- Lifeline secured over $6M+ in partnerships
- MCRI landed $2.6M across four partnerships
- As well as Conservation Ecology Centre (Prickly Moses Spotted Ale), CanTeen (Wendy’s), Fred Hollows Foundation (Westpac & Google), Guide Dogs Australia (Home Hardware & Kleenex), Oxfam (and Powershop)… all using the same method.
No fluff. No guesswork. Just a structured process that works.
Going online, and going further
In 2019, meeting Georgia transformed the HeartSmart® approach into BePartnerReady.com®, a sophisticated online program. Ten steps became seven - clearer, more practical, and ideal for non-profits navigating the pandemic and seeking to diversify income.
One of our proudest success stories is Bully Zero. With face-to-face event income evaporating, CEO Janet Grima fast-tracked our program. Six months later, she secured Bully Zero’s first partnership (in 2022). Fast-forward to December 2025:
Six major partners. Over $3M in completely untied income.
A transformed ability to prevent bullying in workplaces and schools.
And it’s not just the big names. In the past six years, BePartnerReady.com® has empowered these smaller organisations to secure partners:
- Hobart City Mission
- Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania
- CareFlight NT
- ACRE
- Conservation Volunteers
- Melanoma & Skin Cancer Trials
Our refreshed success stories page shows the depth of the pudding - take a look.
Choosing an expert: your Christmas pudding checklist
Here’s a simple due-diligence guide you can use with any consultant or program - generous in spirit, clear in intent, and grounded in 30+ years of practice.
- Ask for proof
How many partnerships have their clients actually delivered?
Names, outcomes, monetary fact - not broad statements.
- Check credibility
Does their LinkedIn reflect lived experience?
Can you speak with past clients?
- Request real case studies
You want to see how their methodology helped to sign up partners
- Look for mission alignment
Corporate partnerships are about alignment – not just a cheque. Does the partnership drive forward the non-profit’s mission?
- Trust your instincts
If something feels hollow, it probably is.
A real expert delivers substance, structure and results.
Happy Festivus!
Whether you’re into the classic pommy fruit pudding, a summer pudding (my fave), or a cheeky pav, remember: the proof is always in the pudding.
And when it comes to corporate partnerships - we’re very proud of ours.
Hailey Cavill-Jaspers
