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Wishes
for
Strategic
Collaboration
by Helene Mazur |
Today
is an opportune time to consider the possibility of joining
with
others to create the future. Many of you are rethinking strategies
in the
current business environment. As you take a new look at the
external
factors (market conditions, competition, trends, demographics,
and
target markets) consider the benefits of collaboration.
"Alone
we can do so little; together we can do so much." Helen Keller
FISH
IN THE SEA
At
first think broadly about all of the opportunity for
collaboration-clients,
competitors, people in your business network,
other
areas in your company, suppliers, those who serve similar clients,
even
community groups.
To
help identify the characteristics of your "ideal" partner start by
taking a
closer look at the people and organizations you work with
today.
Determine which relationships are working the best, and then
examine
the qualities of these relationships.
What
are your strong areas of interest? Who compliments your strengths?
Who is
most likely to benefit from doing business with you? Know the
value
you provide to your clients and business partners. Who can you
help
most based on your background, experience and education. Focus on
identifying
potential collaborators who offer you the highest
probability
of success.
TAKE IT
SLOW
Many
of us are feeling very risk averse right now and are being
cautious.
Now is NOT the time to push fast, superficial relationships.
It is
however, a great time to find the right business partners to grow
with in
the future.
There
are many ways to try out 'collaboration' without much risk. The
web
offers a wide variety of places to meet others with common interests
in a
'shared space' online. www.yahoogroups.com
hosts hundreds of groups
where
likeminded people discuss topics, voice opinions, share knowledge,
and grow
ideas. Find a group you might be interested in, and try it!
The
more you can learn about your potential partner, the greater the
chance
of making the right decision about a long-term relationship. Ask
questions
about goals, ambitions and values. Listen
for where you might
complement
each other and create a future together.
DREAMS
By
dreaming together you create the possibility to achieve a richer,
fuller
result than you could achieve on your own. In an exciting book
entitled
The Collaboration Challenge, James E. Austin, the author, talks
about
the tremendous opportunities for business combinations between
nonprofits
and profits. "The twenty-first century will be the age of
alliances.
In this age collaboration between nonprofit organizations and
corporations
will grow in frequency and strategic importance."
HAPPILY
EVER AFTER
If
you are seriously considering a partnership, conduct a strategic
planning
process together. Create a common vision, strategies and goals.
With
agreed upon priorities and plans you will start off with the right
level of
commitment. Agree to a process for ongoing communication and
information
flow.
There
are of course no guarantees! By working together to create
solutions
in anticipation of the future, you increase the possibility
for
success.
Helene
Mazur is the President of Princeton Performance Dynamics.
As a
group
facilitator and business coach, Helene supports individuals and
organizations
to apply their potential to achieve important, targeted
goals.
www.ppdbusinesscoaching.com
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