Hold conferences inviting the business community. A university offers venues, such as auditoriums, where business leaders can come together to interact with university officials. The conferences can discuss general business topics or specific ways the university can help the private sector.
Communicate with graduates of an university. Utilizing the alumni network to interact with business leaders who are alumni give the business leaders incentive to communicate with their old alma mater.
Interact with local industries. Many colleges and universities have a relationship with local businesses so that internships and consultations can occur between both parties.
Let all academic and administrative departments communicate with related private sector industries. An example of this comes from an Ohio State University catalog detailing how the school's departments can interact independently of the school administration. This allows individual departments to interact with congruent private industries, such as engineering departments interacting with engineering firms.
Craft research projects. Promising ventures, such as engineering or chemical research, can often be fostered by a private firm and a university. Such interaction creates a long-term relationship between a company and a university.
Search for ways to foster investments. Universities can craft special relationships with companies that provide the university with goods and services. Allowing those companies to be the sole provider of goods and services, such as maintenance products or food, helps build a strong relationship.
Allow businesses to utilize resources in the university. Advertise to companies in the private sector that university facilities, faculty, and staff can help with any research or investment the company wishes to perform.