Is Collaboration The NEW Workplace Business Model ?

October 10, 2009

Collaboration isn’t the buzzword of the week. It is the NEW Workplace Business Model, because effective collaboration is intrinsic to how well an organization (big or small) or a business unit will perform over time, and that includes inside collaboration across functional teams, departments or business units, as well as, collaboration with potential partners, suppliers, even at times, with our competitors (referred to as co-petition)

Collaboration is often viewed of as “a nice to have” for businesses. Collaboration between employees, contractors, supplier/vendors, partners, and customers bring unbelievable competitive advantage to business. Businesses and individuals that have learned to work collaboratively have seen startling results. They have greater agility, make better decisions, and are more competitive.

Collaboration is simple to understand and should be second nature. It means we do something better, often bigger, when we do it together. Yet it is difficult to attain.

While collaboration is very important for larger companies, it is essential to solo-preneurs or small business owners. As a solo-professional or small business owner, you have very limited resources: time, money, access, connections or knowledge. So collaborating is essential to the survival and growth of your business or practice. With the right collaborative partners you will think bigger, achieve more, and have more fun!

What are some of the tangible and intangible benefits of collaborating?

Some tangible benefits:

Help you build your list and grow your network much faster that you can on your own
Increase your chances of beating the competition
Increase your sales and profits more quickly
Gain exposure and visibility
Co-Create multiple streams of income (events, products, programs…)
Speed to market
Expand your reach for your product or service by giving you access to a new market, to new customers or to referrals
Save you money by sharing the risk and expenses ex: marketing and advertising costs.
Build a support team
…..

Some intangible benefits:

Have more fun in your business
Gain notoriety or credibility by association
Give you the confidence to tackle something you wouldn’t do on your own
Accountability to getting things done

For over two decades, as an award-winning sales, strategic partnering and marketing executive, working for global industry leaders, I have been building strategic partnerships and providing solutions and successful outcomes to corporations, small business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals. I attribute my success to my ability and desire to build and foster mutually beneficial and profitable relationships with clients, teammates and partners of all sizes (even with my competitors). Collaboration is in everything that I do.

In order to better understand the dynamics of collaboration and to provide me the opportunity to share my findings with you, I’ve put together a Short Survey.

Is Collaboration The NEW Workplace Business Model ?

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JABExyjJZ9B54Nj722ctBg_3d_3d

Through this survey, I’m seeking thoughts and comments from men and women leaders, like you, on why collaboration is often so challenging… and most importantly what could be done (by individuals or organizations) to improve on our ability to achieve successful collaboration in the workplace and in business… leading to more successful outcomes for all parties.

In return for your time and insights, I will provide you the survey results along with a few bonuses. Please connect with me directly at: therelationalstrategist@gmail.com

ps. Please feel free to provide your insights, thoughts and comments right here on this page.

I appreciate you!! Let’s dare to collaborate for exponential growth and profits.