He grabbed two steaming mugs of coffee and placed them on the table.

 

She curled her fingers around the warm mug and began discussing how collaboration could offer them both a range of opportunities – from accessing new markets faster to imagining new solutions and opportunities for their clients – that would propel their businesses forward.

 

As they talked, they noticed a sparkle in each other's eyes, a lightness in their hearts that hadn’t been there before, and the power of collaboration taking them to new heights.

 

Taking a sip of coffee, he said, “That's a great idea!”, and wrote down some bullets in one of the small paper napkin they found in the café. 

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And that's how great partnerships begin with a conversation (and a napkin).