I have secured a 6 month pilot partnership with a large partner. How can I ensure the large company continues to work with my company post-pilot?

Captain Obvious: "Meet the KPIs."

In addition:

- don't give them the secret sauce, what makes you "you"

- do things they don't want to do

- demonstrate positive ROI.

Keep the details of your technical expertise, how you do what you do, to yourself. That way they won't be able to simply hire someone and duplicate your process in-house.

By doing tasks they find distasteful or outside their comfort zone, you make yourself indispensable.

Clearly show, in measures they give you themselves ("If they say it, it's true; if you say it, you have to defend it"), that your efforts have brought in new revenue, saved them money, or both.

Finally, ASK THEM. Get them to clearly state under what circumstances they would declare continuing to work with you 12 months from now a "No-Brainer." Don't leave it fuzzy.

If you want my help with this, book a call to discuss.

In addition to Jason's excellent advice under promise, over deliver. When reporting on KPI's make sure to show any additional KPI's they are getting that may not be obvious, their benefits to the partner and any extra services you've thrown in above and beyond the agreement.

From my background in software and services sales, I've seen many situations where "being inside" provides a terrific opportunity. Congratulations on winning the right to walk inside!

Now that you're there you need to do three things, the first wo of which are more-or-less obvious: (1) deliver on the KPIs and any tacit outcomes as well; (2) manage the process well, i.e. to reduce friction and daily hassle and lastly (3) be seen to be doing these things.

This last item is sometimes missed by business or technical professionals in any field. To explore the question in more detail it's important to know the business you are in, what you are supplying, and what your customer's real needs are. (It appears to be a B2C play.)

So, to do job, to do the job well, and to be seen to be doing the job, you should consider that you are always "on".

In sales we say you "have two ears and one mouth, use them in that ratio". In other words, do lots of listening. What do your partner's KPIs mean? You could nail the KPI and then discover that the customer made a mistake! So do a SWOT analysis (or any preferred business model analysis) of your customer's evolving situation.

Especially, how are you bringing value beyond the initial engagement? You have won a coveted spot by being great. Now is the time to make sure you don't hide your light. Bring more value. This opportunity sounds like a major step up for your company, so it makes sense to master the opportunity and to grow the relationship beyond the current specification.

Proofs-of-concept and pilots and indeed any renewable service relationship are always opportunities to shine. If you'd like to chat, I'm especially interested to know your business sector.

A big success for you and your team!

John