Today's mantra? Collaborate, don't compete, for success.
Years ago, as a tween, I first encountered Richard Bach's allegorical novel Jonathan Livingston Seagull. In the world created in those pages, the bird Jonathan became outcast when he chose to challenge the status quo of limiting his potential and fighting over resources. As an outsider, he finds a critical but detached perspective of the scrapping flock whose actions are based on the fear of scarcity and being alone. Instead, Jonathan continues to push his personal limits and build his skills as a flyer. Along the way, he finds coaches, mentors, and flys with others who make transformation possible. You know.
First, she suggests it's wise to have a clear idea:
Years ago, as a tween, I first encountered Richard Bach's allegorical novel Jonathan Livingston Seagull. In the world created in those pages, the bird Jonathan became outcast when he chose to challenge the status quo of limiting his potential and fighting over resources. As an outsider, he finds a critical but detached perspective of the scrapping flock whose actions are based on the fear of scarcity and being alone. Instead, Jonathan continues to push his personal limits and build his skills as a flyer. Along the way, he finds coaches, mentors, and flys with others who make transformation possible. You know.
Consciously approaching collaborations, I am always ready to learn emerging techniques to create transformative relationships from the masters. Recently, I had the good fortune to be in the room in an intimate setting when Marilyn Ball, with 12Twelve Collaborative Solutions, for her take on what makes a successful collaboration.
- What you want to accomplish
- What you offer a potential partner
- What's in it for them - and you
- How your services and products fit those of your potential partner
Second, when it comes to partnerships, there are "no hard and fast rules," she notes. When entering a business relationship, be able to:
- Identify the benefits for a prospective partner
- Paint a picture of how the collaboration might work
- Understand the dynamics of the potential partnership
- Leverage resources for maximum results
- Highlight the benefits for all players
Key to the collaboration are the compatible goals and fairly shared risk factors, she says. Integral to the venture's success are commonality of customer base, compatibility, and shared objectives. Once the situation has been fully evaluated, and the terms of the collaboration put into writing, a promising collaborative partnership is well on its way.
Since enjoying this conversation with Marilyn, I've stretched my wings a bit. In other words, I've entered into what will likely be my first of many collaborative partnerships, offering a premium product to enhance the value of a colleague's first major online launch. When the time is right, she will reciprocate, also increasing the inherent value of one of my future offers. The collaboration is an easy, natural fit, and I'm excited about the exposure. Quality collaborations hold real appeal for me. I believe they're the way of the future.
1 comments:
I love collaborating. To me it is part of creating community that is working to help each other grow and prosper. May your collaborations bring you much joy and success!
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