There are many factors that converge to ensure an excellent working relationship between two organizations. These factors include, choosing the right partner, negotiating an equable contract, a well managed transition and smooth functioning governance of the relationship.

Seven tips for keeping a governance relationship positive and productive are:

1. Request help early. The average company waits too long before seeking help for inter organizational problems. The longer you wait the harder it is to get the relationship back to being fully productive and profitable for all parties. Frequently it is too hard for people in the midst of a contentious situation to see clearly enough as to 1: how detrimental it is and 2: see how to reduce tensions and resolve the issues.

2. Think before you talk. People who avoid saying every critical thought when discussing touchy topics consistently get resolution to problems and issues the easiest and quickest.

3. Mitigate your opening statements. Arguments first "start up" because a person sometimes escalates the conflict from the get-go by making a critical or contemptuous remark in a confrontational tone. Bring up problems gently and without blame. Look for solutions not fault.

4. Allow influence. A relationship succeeds to the extent that the buyer can accept influence from the vendor. A buyer's ability to be influenced by the vendor (rather than vice-versa) is crucial because research shows vendors are already well practiced at accepting influence from buyers, and a true partnership only occurs when a buyer can do so as well.

5. Engage with high standards. Productive relationships have high standards for ethical and straight forward interactions, for each other from the very start. The most successful partnerships are those who, even during negotiations, refused to accept hurtful behavior from one another. The lower the level of tolerance for bad behavior in the beginning of a relationship, the more positive and productive the partnership is down the road.

6. Learn to repair and exit the argument. Successful partners know how to exit an argument. Positive and productive partners know how to repair the situation before an argument gets completely out of control. Successful repair attempts include: changing the topic to something completely unrelated; using humor; acknowledging your partner’s position ("I understand that this is hard for you"); making it clear you're on common ground ("This is our problem"); backing down (in relationships, as in the art of war, you have to retreat to win); and, in general, offering signs of appreciation for your partner and his or her feelings along the way ("I really appreciate and want to thank you for.…"). If an argument gets too heated, take a 15-minute break, and agree to approach the topic again when you are both calm. Do not let the area of contention sit too long, over night in the dark minor points will breed into major tangled knots, where only a Gordian solution will work.

7. Focus on positive outcomes and events. In a positive and productive relationship, while discussing problems, partners make at least five times as many positive statements to and about each other and their relationship as negative ones.  For example, "We are good at fixing problems;" not, "things keep failing around here".  A good partnership must have a rich climate of positives. The more you acknowledge about what is good and right about the relationship the easier it will be to tackle the touchy and painful issues.