Welcome to This for That’s first-ever year-end highlights post! This is a great way to see what you might have missed throughout the year. I started writing This for That from the perspective that well-designed and well-managed relationships - partnership deals - are as important in scaling technology as well-designed and well-managed code. I saw a lack of stories and insights online about partnerships to benefit those doing this work. And so I set out to collect and surface these stories and insights. I’ve learned so much and the response from readers has been so encouraging. Thanks to each of you!

Before we jump into the 2021 recap, I need to ask for your input on how This for That can improve …

Two asks of you (small & quick)

1. share your feedback - these 5 simple questions (<96 seconds of your time)

2. share This for That with a friend (<29 seconds of your time)

2021 Highlights

By the numbers

• 25 posts

• >25,000 words

• >10X growth in subscribers

Highest-engagement posts in 2021

• How to Think Like a Product Manager

• a16z’s Insiya Lockhandwala

• Career coach Robyn Rapp

Interviews (5)

Five leaders brought their partnership wisdom directly to your inbox …

• Checkout.com’s Tracy Meng (fintech)

• a16z’s Insiya Lockhandwala (venture capital)

• YearUp’s Emily Schaefer (non-profit)

• Formerly Cousera’s Anjuli Gupta (education tech)

• Career coach Robyn Rapp (career coach)

Longform posts (11)

Some of my favorite long(er) form posts:

• Good vs. Great Partnerships Leaders

• Is a Job in Partnerships Right for You?

• Tips for Landing your First Post-Corona Job

• The Deal That Forever Changed the Music Industry

• Where to Sit and Why it Matters

Tweetstorms (3)

Buried deep in twitter are some great deal stories, I highlighted three:

• @danrose999: ‘Give before you get’ from Mark Zuckerberg

• @shreyas: How to Think Like a Product Manager

• @apartovi: The one phrase that ended a $50M deal

Recommendations for you (4)

There’s little makes me happier than hearing from readers how much they enjoyed a book, film, podcast or product that I recommended in the Grinding Wheel, an infrequent series with recommendations to delight, inspire, and provoke readers. Some are directly related to partnerships, many are not.

• The Grinding Wheel: vol 1, vol 2, vol 3, vol 4

(Holiday) gift ideas:

What’s a year-end recap without some gift ideas? And no, it’s not too late to give a gift to someone at work or at home. Even if you miss the holiday season, there’s always New Years, Valentine’s Day, etc. Whenever or whomever you decide to give to, here are a few ideas to consider:

• Listening: Audible or Calm

• Gratitude: 5 Minute Journal - a great way to support a practice of gratitude.

• Productivity: Analog - a nicely designed way to present your to-do list on your desk. Or you can buy something similar on Etsy.

• Writers: online subscriptions can be a great way to support writers. Consider giving a subscription (online or print) to a local or national newspaper. Or a Substack gift card.

• Local food: the restaurant industry is still recovering from covid, which some estimates indicate shuttered 10% - 15% of restaurants nationally. Support your favorite local establishment by giving a gift card.

Giving back

If you’re considering a donation to a good cause as another difficult year comes to a close, consider GiveWell. GiveWell brings a data-driven approach to philanthropy - they carefully analyze and recommend specific charities where your dollars can make the biggest impact on humanity. Alternatively, you can donate to GiveWell’s Maximum Impact Fund which contributes to each of the causes they have identified as having the largest impact globally (and GiveWell takes zero fees).

Coming in 2022

This for That has more coming for you in the New Year. New content formats. More stories, insights and interviews. More recommendations you can use.

Thank you

Thanks for subscribing, for your feedback and your interest in building better partnerships.