Overview
Transitioning from a functional role to a strategic business partner requires more than a new title—it demands a fundamental shift in mindset and approach. Business Partnering is a two-day, immersive course that equips you with the knowledge and skills to build authentic relationships, drive collaboration, and deliver lasting organisational value. By focusing on stakeholder engagement, empathy-driven communication, and a structured approach to maintain partnerships over time, this programme enables you to navigate complexity, break down silos, and achieve meaningful results. Whether you’re stepping into a partnering role or looking to refine your approach, you’ll gain the confidence and strategic insight to create high-impact alliances across your organisation.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, to gain the most benefit, participants should ideally have completed a psychometric test—such as QASDI2RTR Core Strengths: Results through Relationships or have a solid understanding of their strengths and development areas. Bringing any relevant assessments to the workshop is recommended for a more tailored learning experience.
Target Audience
This course is ideal for:
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Professionals who partner with internal or external stakeholders to drive organisational goals (e.g., People Partners, cross-functional leads).
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Anyone seeking to enhance collaboration, influence, and relationship management skills across various teams.
Delegates will learn how to
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Describe the principles of business partnering and their role in driving collaboration and achieving goals.
- Identify key stakeholders and develop strategies to build trust and engagement.
- Build trust and influence through effective relationship management and personal branding.
- Apply empathy-driven communication to align with stakeholder needs and enhance collaboration.
- Use problem-solving and decision-making frameworks to deliver actionable solutions and navigate change.
- Develop strategies to sustain partnerships through accountability, resilience, and shared resources.
- Define success metrics and communicate outcomes using data-driven insights.
- Design exit strategies and legacy plans to ensure sustainable partnerships and future growth.
Course Outline
Module 1: Day 1
Exploring Business Partnering
- Understand the mindset and responsibilities of a strategic business partner, aligning goals to drive results.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Identify, map, and engage key stakeholders using practical tools to build trust and strong relationships.
Building Relationships and Influence
- Develop credibility, empathy, and influence across diverse teams—even without formal authority.
Empathy-Driven Communication
- Tailor communication to stakeholder needs, enhancing collaboration and buy-in.
Action Planning and Review
- Reflect on key learnings and start personalising your plan for immediate, real-world application.
Module 2: Day 2
Recap and Review
- Revisit key takeaways from Day 1 to ensure continuity and shared understanding.
Driving Solutions: Decisions and Change
- Explore decision-making and change-management frameworks, overcoming resistance while aligning stakeholders.
Managing and Sustaining Partnerships
- Maintain accountability, address challenges, and keep partnerships focused on shared goals.
Measuring and Sharing Success
- Track progress, communicate outcomes, and present data-driven insights through compelling storytelling.
Closing the Partnership Loop
- Develop exit strategies and legacy plans that preserve positive relationships and capture lessons learned.
Final Action Planning and Review
- Solidify your partnership impact plan, setting goals and next steps for continued growth in your professional context.
Exams and Assessments
No formal exams are included. Participants will engage in interactive exercises, case scenarios, and knowledge checks to reinforce practical learning outcomes and measure progress.
Hands-On Learning
- Practical tools & strategies for immediate application in business partnering contexts.
- Interactive discussions & exercises to address real-world stakeholder and collaboration challenges.
- Peer feedback & group activities that encourage collaboration and shared insights.
- Stakeholder mapping & action planning woven throughout to ensure continuous growth and goal alignment.
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.