4 Simple Steps to Opening Partnerships with an "O.P.E.N. House"
Opening moves matter. In chess, an effective opening strategy can set a player up for certain victory. In relationships, positive first impressions can set both parties up for a win-win partnership.
If your lab is looking to build new relationships within your institution, open strong by hosting a simple “open house.” It’s a great way to bring new partners into your lab right from the start. Meet them, greet them, and show them who you are and what you can do for them.
Julia Dahl, M.D.
CEO and Medical Director
Mosaic Prime, LLC
Article highlights:
- Hosting an open house in your lab is a great way to build informal networks of collaboration with institution partners
- Follow the LabLeaders “O.P.E.N. house” plan for tips on how to make your event engaging, educational, and cost-effective
- A successful open house can help make collaborative relationships between your lab and its current and prospective customers the new norm
Just look at the possibilities...
A simple plan
You can bring new partners to your house without “bringing down the house.” Your event need not be a big production. It can be well thought out and memorable without breaking your budget. Just follow our O.P.E.N. house plan.
- Convene a planning committee and gain approval on a budget
- Assign someone to liaise with departmental chairpersons in the hospital
- Obtain permission to send invitations to their staff
- Propose a date and time that work for both parties (after hours or during non-peak business hours)
- Team up with a town caterer to offer some refreshments—perhaps a selection of artisanal cheeses paired with non-alcoholic sparkling cider
- Work with a local designer to create hand-crafted invitations—this lends a personal feel right from the get-go
- Run ads in the hospital newsletter, if it has one
- Post an announcement on the bulletin board in the employee lounge
- Follow up with email reminders a day or two before the open house
- Assign a greeter to give people a warm reception as they cross your threshold
- Tag everyone who enters with lapel stickers with their names and titles
- Once a sizable group has gathered, invite them on a laboraTOUR
- Task department heads with describing their areas of the lab
- Pre-script short and simple talking points—no complicated jargon
- Encourage conversation: solicit questions and ask people what they l
- Debrief with team members to identify issues and opportunities that arose during the open house
- Keep informal interactions alive—embrace every opportunity to engage with hospital colleagues
- Send personal notes of thanks to all your hospital colleagues
Elevator encounters and other new norms
Dr. Julia Dahl, CEO and Medical Director of Mosaic Prime, describes how her organization keeps informal relationships alive with their hospital partners in the wake of a successful open house.
CEO and Medical Director
Mosaic Prime, LLC
Inspirational ideas
Click through each of the following for fun ideas to make your open house more memorable.
Interested in more ways to spark collaboration? Read our how-to-guides on implementing random coffees and a walk-a-mile program.
