<sod >The innovation group engages with dozens of partners, says Blouin, and Caldwell adds that partnerships are also highly practical in that they help organizations share risk and resources.< eod>< sod > " Partnerships and outside influences are also critical to success. The innovation group engages with dozens of partners, says Blouin, and Caldwell adds that partnerships are also highly practical in that they help organizations share risk and resources. "It's fantastic to work with partners who have different skills or talents or even redundant skills or talents, so that if you lose a team member that is integral to an initiative, you can still move forward," says Caldwell.< eod>