Relationship Design (RD) will enable you to step into a (business) relationship on the basis of a mutual understanding of needs and expectations instead of on the basis of negotiation positions. You’ll identify and express your individual and shared purpose, values and goals, as well as the anticipated way of working and conflict-resolution strategies. Knowing each other's needs and drivers will enhance clarity between partners and establish a solid foundation for your value-based and conflict-competent collaboration.

Areas of Impact.

We apply Relationship Design in a variety of situations, ranging from business relationships to relationships in the personal and family sphere. We personalise and adapt the focus depending on the unique challenges that different types of relationships pose. 

Relationship Design is best suitable for long-term, collaboration- based relationships that:

• have a high degree of interdependence,

• operate in a changing context,

• and run the risk of termination along the way.

Family Businesses

Due to their relationship-based nature family, businesses face specific challenges. On one hand, there is a strong need to establish professional relationships, on the other, it is undeniable that personal and emotional connections will influence what’s happening in the business. RD supports families to explore and express the needs and motivations of all stakeholders. This becomes a base for conversations about plans, ambitions, ways of working, as well as strategies for conflict resolution. The process results in a well-defined and unambiguous family statute that enables all members to take action and contribute to the common vision.   

Founders

When starting a new venture with a partner it is necessary to sign a Shareholders Agreement. This agreement will guard the entire collaboration and therefore should not only express the shared vision and goals, but also the needs of each party as well as an established way of working and overcoming of future challenges the relationship will certainly face. RD enables each party to explore and express their needs, and co-creatively develop the base for the collaboration. The process converges into a simple, comprehensive and readable Shareholders Agreement, but most importantly into clarity and alignment between partners. 

Procurement

Entering into a long-term and complex contractual agreement with a supplier is always a risk. The agreements that guard these sort of relationships mostly focus on risk reduction. The RD approach draws attention to the purpose of the collaboration and aims at expressing the common goals and objectives in a clear way so that parties are aligned and confident that they are entering a mutually beneficial relationship. Additionally, future challenges are anticipated and a conflict-resolution model agreed upon. As a result parties build trust, increase confidence in the collaboration and can take action with clarity. 

Boards

Boards function in highly complex environments. Typically they function on a small number of contact moments and are composed of carefully selected individuals to ensure high-quality decision making. In their function as Board Members, individuals have to find ways to collaborate, cooperate and work cohesively whilst remaining independent and objective. Dynamics in a Board can greatly benefit or tremendously hinder its effectiveness. RD supports Boards by addressing the individual psychological as well as group dynamics. The result is a conflict competent, high-performing board culture.