| Guidelines for Selecting an Initiative | Outcomes for Students | Benefits for Business |
| Implementation Steps | Implementation Steps Flowchart |

To assist businesses considering initiatives that contribute to Successful Business and School Partnerships the following guidelines, outcomes for students and benefits for business have developed. The NZBCSD Successful and School Partnership team developed this framework in consideration with educationalists.

Guidelines for Selecting an Initiative
Initiatives may meet the following guidelines:

1. Provide a 'hand up' not just a 'hand out'. Successful partnerships are not only about donating money but are concerned with empowering schools and students to become stronger, more self-sufficient and successful.
2. Focus on primary, intermediate and secondary schools. Businesses are also encouraged to support early childhood and tertiary education, however, the primary, intermediate and secondary schools are the focus of this guide, because it is compulsory for all New Zealanders to be schooled during the years from six to 16.
3. Focus on lower decile schools. The decile system was established by the Ministry of Education and categorises schools into deciles from one to ten. Deciles are based on the socio-economic status of the community as measured in the census - the lower the decile the lower the socio-economic ranking. Parents and the community in lower decile areas are likely to have fewer specialist business skills and resources to contribute to schools, so the NZBCSD encourages initiatives that focus on these areas where there is the greatest need.
4. Show on-going commitment in contrast to a one-off programme. An on-going commitment will help business and young people build a relationship. In turn, students are more likely to learn from a partnership where there is a relationship of trust and familiarity.
5. Assist with strengthening the governance and management of the school. NZBCSD members and other businesses have many strengths in governance and management. These skills are of great use to schools, particularly in lower socio-economic areas, where the local community may not be able to supply adequate specialist business expertise to the Board of Trustees. Furthermore, this is an excellent method for empowering the school to become more self-sufficient.
6. Strengthening links between the business sector and schools. Businesses and schools need to work in tandem. By doing so, young people will become increasingly aware of and interested in career pathways. Both the education and business sectors are vital participants and partners in a sustainable New Zealand.
7. Involve representatives from the business. By involving business personnel there is the opportunity for a two-way process of learning. Company staff learn from the school and the school learns from the business. There is unique value in personal relationships between the business and the school. Ideally, partnerships are about real involvement from both partners.
8. Provide outcomes that are measurable and auditable. As with any business undertaking objectives should be defined, results measured and improvements made as a result of the audit. This assists with ongoing continuous improvement and the achievement of better outcomes.