It's all about acquisitions, acquisitions, acquisitions! Matt Housley joins me to tackle the biggest rumor in the data world this week: the potential acquisition of dbt Labs by Fivetran. This news sparks a wide-ranging discussion on the inevitable consolidation of the Modern Data Stack, a trend we predicted as the era of zero-interest-rate policy ended. We also talk about financial pressures, vendor exposure to the rise of AI, the future of data tooling, and more.

Ever wonder how companies in the crowded data and AI space build powerful alliances to drive revenue and growth? In this episode, I sit down with Eleanor Thompson, a partnerships expert based in London and founder of a successful partnerships consultancy. Drawing from her experience running the partner program at Fivetran during its hyper-growth phase, Eleanor shares the essential strategies for building a successful partnership ecosystem from the ground up. We also also discuss the mental fortitude required for entrepreneurship, drawing surprising parallels between running a business and competing in high-intensity fitness events like Hyrox.

Tune in to learn: The fundamental reasons why partnerships are critical for expanding your reach and generating revenue. When is the right time for a startup to focus on partnerships (hint: it's not day one). Eleanor's "4A" framework (Alignment, Ability, Audience, Accountability) for identifying the perfect partner. The key roles, from Partner Sales Engineers to Partner Ops, needed to build a successful partnerships team. Red flags to watch for when a potential partner is more focused on margin than customer value. How AI can be used to identify ideal partners and even predict their future success.

Find Eleanor Thompson online: LinkedIn: Eleanor Thompson Website: https://branchworks.io

BusinessPartnerships #DataEngineering #AI #Entrepreneurship #Tech #Startup #GoToMarket

Timestamps 00:49 - Who is Eleanor Thompson? 02:25 - Why Do Business Partnerships Exist? 05:26 - When is the Right Time for a Company to Start Building Partnerships? 06:40 - The 4A Framework for Defining Your Ideal Partner Profile 08:20 - Joe's Experience Partnering with Big Tech 12:33 - How to Structure a Partnerships Team in a Growing Tech Company 20:49 - What is Partner Operations and Why is It a Critical Hire? 22:30 - The Importance of Trust and Referral Fees 25:15 - Eleanor's Journey as an "Accidental CEO" 30:10 - The Mental Fitness and Resilience Required to Be a Founder 41:20 - How to Use AI in Your Partnership Strategy 45:00 - How to Spot a Good Partner on the Very First Call 46:33 - Red Flags to Watch For in Potential Partners 51:35 - How Fitness and Hyrox Competitions Fuel Business Success 59:45 - Where to Find Eleanor Thompson