The 5-Minute Partnership Pulse Check

When school-business partnerships start to feel transactional—or worse, begin to fade—the root cause is almost always communication neglect. Partnerships don't fail overnight; they simply shrivel from a lack of intentional, focused interaction.

The antidote? A brief, high-impact Partnership Pulse Check.

This tool is designed to move you beyond "How's it going?" and into strategic dialogue that keeps your partnership agile, relevant, and meaningful. By dedicating just five minutes each month to these focused check-in questions, you signal commitment, proactively solve small issues, and keep your joint vision alive. This simple practice is often the difference between a stagnant partnership and an award-winning one.

The Monthly Check-In Script for Principals

Use these questions during a quick phone call, video chat, or a dedicated 5-minute slot at the beginning of a larger meeting.

Reflection & Validation (Looking Back)

The goal here is to acknowledge recent successes, measure impact against goals, and demonstrate that you value their non-financial investment (time and expertise).

• "What's one recent success from the past month that you're most proud of?" (Starts the conversation positively and forces reflection on tangible results.)
• "Did we hit the mark on [specific metric/goal]? If not, where did we miss, and why?" (Keeps the partnership goal-oriented and provides a low-pressure way to address challenges.)
• "From your business perspective, what's the value you've seen your employees gain from their involvement?" (Crucial for retention! It validates their investment, reinforces the mutual benefit, and helps them report the ROI internally.)

Alignment & Resource (Looking Ahead)

This section confirms the project's direction, identifies upcoming needs, and flags potential barriers before they become crises.

• "What's the single biggest priority for our partnership over the next 30 days?" (Ensures both parties are rowing in the same direction and helps prioritize effort.)
• "Are there any resource, time, or staff commitment issues coming up on your end that I need to know about?" (Allows for proactive problem-solving and demonstrates that you understand the pressures on their business.)
• "How can I better prepare our students/staff for the upcoming [event/visit/project phase]?" (Shifts the focus from "what the partner owes us" to "how we can be better hosts/recipients.")

Vision & Growth (Deepening Engagement)

These questions keep the long-term vision active and gently encourage "next-level" thinking, which is essential for competition-level projects.

• "If we could double our impact next year, what's the one thing we'd focus on?" (Keeps the vision expansive and pushes for strategic thinking rather than just maintenance.)
• "Is there another department in your company or an area of the school that you think would benefit from a small, contained side project?" (Scopes for healthy, organic expansion into new areas of the school or business.)
• "On a scale of 1 to 10, how well are we balancing your business needs (e.g., skill development, recruitment) with our student needs?" (A high-level question that checks the long-term health and equity of the relationship.)

The Principal's Pro Tips for Success

• Timing is everything: Schedule this check-in for the same day/time each month and stick to a strict 5-10 minute window. Use a brief phone call or video meeting—not a formal conference room setup.
• The Power of Delegation: If you cannot take the call, empower an Assistant Principal or a key Teacher Leader to conduct the Pulse Check. It builds school capacity and deepens the partner's relationships with more of your staff.
• Close the Loop: Immediately after the call, send a two-sentence email summary with one or two clear, agreed-upon action items. This transforms the conversation from a chat into a commitment.

By implementing this quick, structured rhythm, you ensure that your partnership remains vibrant, strategic, and positioned for long-term, meaningful engagement and recognition.