The Shortcut to Finding Partners Who Actually Make You Money
A 5-step filter that shows you who’s worth your time
What if the reason your last partnership flopped wasn’t the other guy’s fault?
Most business owners rush into collaborations because it “sounds good” or “feels like a win-win.” They trade discounts, do a little cross-promotion, maybe run a joint event.
Then… nothing. A few leads trickle in, maybe a couple sales, and the thing dies a quiet death.
I’ve been there. Early in my career, we’d walk into a business, hand out free passes, shake hands, and leave. Simple. Sometimes it worked, but most of the time it fizzled out.
Fast-forward to running my HOTWORX studio today, it’s a different game. Now we’re strategic. The old “drop off a pass and hope” doesn’t cut it.
That’s where the MPEEL Rule changes everything for me (and made me a ton of money as a result).
Never commit to a partnership without running it through MPEEL: Mission, Purpose, Effectiveness, Execution, and Logistics.
Explanation
Most owners rush into partnerships out of excitement and have zero clarity. The problem is, excitement won’t protect your cash flow, your time, or your reputation. MPEEL does.
Mission: Do you and your partner know exactly what you stand for? If not, you’ll pull in opposite directions.
Purpose: Why does this partnership exist? If the “why” is vague, the results will be too.
Effectiveness: Does this actually move the needle? Is it proven to generate revenue, referrals, or awareness, or is it just “nice” to do?
Execution: Who’s responsible for doing what, by when? If it’s not nailed down, it won’t get done.
Logistics: The boring details (pricing, terms, distance, scheduling). Overlook these, and you’ll bleed time and money.
At HOTWORX, one of our most effective partnerships came through Tulsa Remote. Here’s how it passed the MPEEL test for me and generated revenue (not stress):
Mission: We help busy professionals get fit in less time.
Purpose: Capture Tulsa Remote members who want boutique fitness, not a YMCA.
Effectiveness: Their members receive a $600 yearly health stipend. Perfect fit.
Execution: We waived contracts for them. They send their people, we handle onboarding.
Logistics: Within 12 months, we locked in multiple members who paid upfront. Two people signed in a single morning, $1,200 revenue in one day.
Compare that to the partnerships we skipped, like low-cost apartment complexes where residents only wanted free trials. That failed the MPEEL test at the “Effectiveness” step.
Application
Before your next handshake, run through this five-point checklist:
Write down your Mission in one sentence. Then ask your partner for theirs. If they can’t give it, walk away.
Clarify the Purpose: one measurable outcome. Not three. Not five. One.
Test for Effectiveness: will this produce leads, customers, or dollars? Be honest.
Nail the Execution: who’s promoting, who’s fulfilling, who owns customer service.
Lock in the Logistics: terms, pricing, timelines, distance, stipends. No gray areas.
If you can’t answer all five, don’t partner.
Partnerships are supposed to multiply success. Done right, they amplify your reach, credibility, and revenue. Done wrong, they tie your reputation to failure.
The difference is MPEEL.
Want the full breakdown of MPEEL (Mission, Purpose, Effectiveness, Execution, Logistics) and how to apply it in your own business? Read the complete framework here.
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