3 Questions Key to Partnering with Business to Improve Health

If you want to partner with businesses in your area to improve health, it’s important to do your homework, according to Cara McNulty, Senior Group Manager‐Prevention and Wellness for Target Corp. McNulty, who works on partnering with groups to improve the health of more than 365,000 workers, shared her experiences in a recent County Health Rankings & Roadmaps webinar, Advancing Health in Communities through Building Successful Partnerships with Business. If you’d like to partner with businesses in your area, asking yourself these questions can help streamline your pitch:

Do you have a common goal?

“What is the corporate responsibility, what is the corporate commitment?” McNulty asked. Target identifies education as its top area of commitment and gives much of its charitable donations to related causes. Research a company and see if your values line up.

Do you have a common idea of success?

Many employees have needs that employers want to meet, or businesses are looking to make a good impression in the community. Stating what you can offer and communicating how the business and/or its employees can benefit is a strong, transparent way to start a partnership. “Communication about a success metric is critical,” McNulty said.

Do you have a common timeline?

Approaching a retailer about a health event approaching the busy holiday season might not get the best reaction. Be aware of your potential partner’s business cycle and try to fit in where you can.

More than anything, McNulty said, be bold and ask – the worst anyone can say is “No.”

“There’s not anyone I won’t ask, if it makes sense for our business, to partner,” McNulty said.

To hear more from McNulty, watch a recording of the webinar here.