1) Identify partner touch points. For starters, look across your various channel
           program elements. From the partner portal to co-op administration to partner
           councils to training classes (and beyond), personnel across your company
           interact with partners daily. And that's, of course, on top of day-to-day sales
           and operations interaction. How many touch points are there? While there is no
           optimal number, each touch point should contribute to a productive use of
           a partner's time (and yours).

       2) Pinpoint and minimize the obstacles. Once you've identified touch points and
           who is responsible for each one, ensure that all are aligned with the positive
           "user experience" you want to create for your partners. Many program elements
           are managed outside the partner organization (technical support, for instance)
           and not everyone gets it when it comes to partners. Where there's a disconnect,
           you may need to do some training and/or aligning of objectives across
           company silos.

       3) Choreograph partner touch points. While free-forming it across the office looks
           like a lot of fun and certainly shakes things up, when it comes to helping partners
           get the job done, a clear and visible path is preferred. So, once you've identified
           the touch points, and moved aside as many of the obstacles as possible, fine tune
           and "light up" the paths for your partners. By documenting each step between
           point A and point B, you're sure to find ways to improve the partner experience.

Partner programs are notorious for adding stuff to enhance the partner experience, and with that "stuff" comes additional complexity. While enhancing your program is essential, minimizing touch points in favor of a well defined partner experience will keep your partners from yelling "Parkour!" while keeping you ahead of the curve.