Quick Question
I believe professional collaboration is essential to our success as we move into the ‘new normal’ following the pandemic.
I’ll explain why in just a moment, but first, let me ask you a question:
What made the human race the most successful and dominant species on the planet?
The Answer is ... Collaboration!
Professional Collaboration & Me
I see this collaboration ideal as essential in re-building and moving forward from recent events (bypassing the decimation route). And I believe the following is true for any company, large and small. But from what I see in my work with organisations, there is a lot about collaboration that the bigger organisations could learn from the smaller ones.
As a sole trader, I know that my success is not purely down to me.
Around me, I have a plethora of other sole traders and companies and we have worked together, mainly on a virtual basis, for years. I have a core team of eight specialists who assist me regularly (in no particular order) comprising of:
- A personal assistant
- A website designer and maintainer
- An SEO specialist
- A content writer
- A marketing strategist
- A social media adviser
- A marketing creative
- A LinkedIn specialist
In addition to these, I hire numerous one-off specialists for tasks where I know my expertise is lacking.
Without all of these other smaller consultants and their expertise, there’s no way I could stay ahead of my competitors or enjoy the successful reach I have. The beauty of this arrangement is that we all work as a team – consulting, comparing, discussing, and planning my future pathway and actions together. We meet virtually regularly and liaise with a ‘no idea is a bad idea’ approach which has paid off dividends.
What Larger Organisations Can Learn
Larger companies appear to believe that they have these specialisms covered within their departments or in-house.
However, they may want to pause and review…
I have seen internal departments that have no idea what other departments are doing. Teams that have evolved a ‘them and us’ attitude, which is counterproductive to swiftly moving forward. And flagrant hostility towards other companies considered to be trying to occupy the same space.
It is going to be vital in the coming years, for every unit (sole trader, SME, online trader, large businesses to global behemoths) working within a structure to share a common purpose. Working together with a simple vision that everyone understands will become fundamental and critical. Without it, cracks will become visible. And, with the greater scrutiny, I suspect those that can’t or won’t collaborate will encounter eventual failure from which consignment to the dustbin is inevitable.
It’s Time to Take Stock
Perhaps it’s time for everyone to look at their setup as an outsider and/or customer would. To view with new eyes how they act and portray themselves to the outside world… and realise that external professional collaboration may well provide the new avenues to pursue and is the smartest way to behave.
For more thoughts on this critical subject, check out my earlier post: Compete or Connect. Crush or Collaborate
As a leadership trainer, I work with leaders to help them future-proof their businesses and lead with strength, dignity, and compassion. If you’d like to discuss how I can help you or your organisation, please click the button below to book a call with me. Alternatively, check out my Services for more information about my work.
