Studies show that companies focused on collaboration can increase innovation by 30%. These same companies also increase productivity by 36%. Collaboration strategies help companies capitalise on the competition in today's business market.
Internal teamwork is a notion most business owners understand. They encourage a workplace filled with employees who communicate and work together. But working with other agencies looks different.
This article will discuss the importance of working together among professional associations. We'll give collaboration tips and comprehensive steps you can use to work with other agencies. Read on to learn how collaboration can strengthen your business today.
What is Business Collaboration?
Business collaboration is when two or more entities work together for a common goal. Organisational teamwork takes many forms. Some common examples are:
- Formal partnerships
- Joint ventures
- Informal networks
- Knowledge-sharing agreements
- Conferences and conventions.
Remember, competition and collaboration differ. You can compete or collaborate depending on how either choice benefits your association.
Sometimes, working together for a mutual benefit helps more than looking out for yourself. As you work with other companies, you may experience benefits like increased efficiency, greater innovation and enhanced competitiveness.
The power of collaboration is not speculative - data backs it up. For example, Frost & Sullivan report that companies with higher teamwork indexes also:
- Increased customer satisfaction by 41%
- Improved product quality by 34%
- Improved product development by 30%
- Increased sales by 27%.
Cooperation requires careful planning, clear communication, and mutual trust and respect. The following sections will explore some of the best collaboration strategies. These tips will help you maximise the benefits of your business partnerships.
The Power of Collaboration for Professional Associations
Professional associations play a critical role in advancing the interests of their industries. But the challenges they face are many and include:
- Rapid technological change
- Economic uncertainty
- Shifting demographics
- Advocacy and public relations
Collaboration can help professional associations overcome these challenges and achieve their goals through the following ways.
Pooling Resources and Expertise
In your association, you only have access to your talent pool. And while you hire the best, you know that other organisations also hire top talent. So, if you don't collaborate, you're missing a chance to work with the best in the business.
Moreover, other associations have access to resources you do not. These resources may be:
- Research
- Facilities
- Training materials
- Best practises
- Services
By working with others, you can pool their resources and expertise. With increased capabilities, you can tackle more complex problems. Or you could undertake initiatives too challenging to complete on your own.
Expanding Reach and Influence
Collaboration can help associations expand their reach and influence beyond their membership base. Partnering with other organisations enables you to access their markets. Thus, collaboration is crucial for associations that want to expand their visibility.
Say your professional association is tapping into a new industry, but there isn't much overlap between your current and new target audiences. Your work with another organisation can get eyes on your business. And with the stamp of approval from a company they trust, that new audience will want to work with you.
Increasing Innovation and Creativity
2019 saw an increase in employees using collaboration tools across industries. 48% of workers relied more on collaboration tools than in the two earlier years.
Lifesize reports that video conferencing alone increased workplace creativity. Their survey found that 51% of workers thought video conferencing made companies more innovative. Collaboration strategies drive innovation because it exposes associations to novel ideas, diverse perspectives, alternate approaches and creative problem-solving.
Working with diverse partners generates fresh insights and strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve. As you give and receive constructive criticism, your professional outcomes flourish.
Advocating for Change
Are there problems in your professional association's industry that others won't discuss? Do you want to stand up for change but don't know where to begin?
Collaboration can help you find other like-minded organisations that want the same changes as you. Partnering with these agencies amplifies your voice. The more organisations you have working toward these goals, the faster you can make a difference.
Best Collaboration Strategies: Tips for Success
Collaboration seems challenging, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips for successful teamwork that can help you maximise the benefits of your partnerships:
Define Your Objectives
Before starting, make sure you have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. Sit down with the organisations you want to collaborate with to create SMART goals. SMART goals are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-bound
These objectives should align with your association's mission and strategic priorities. They will help set expectations for your collaboration and steer it in a positive direction.
Identify Your Partners
Choosing a partner to work with is one of the most critical collaboration strategies. Your partners should share your company's goals and values. You should consider your partners' abilities, resources, and reputation.
To find potential partners, look within your industry or professional network. Try finding collaborative partners by:
- Networking at industry events
- Joining online communities
- Seeking referrals from other agencies
Lastly, you can find collaborators through research. Try searching for organisations with a similar target audience as yours. Or look to companies that offer complementary products or services to you.
Use Collaboration Tools
Software services streamline teamwork. These applications help you communicate, share information, and reduce administrative overhead. Here are some tools that you can start using:
- Project planning tools (Asana, Trello)
- Video calling platforms (Zoom, Google Meet)
- Instant messengers (Slack, Discord)
- File-sharing apps (Dropbox, Google Drive)
Professional associations also shouldn't discount the importance of a learning management system (LMS). Course building on the cloud bolsters inter-agency collaboration. Products like Intuto help you integrate your partnerships seamlessly with features like:
- SCORM Support
- Course management
- Learner tracking and reporting
- Onboarding, training, and support
These features make Intuto your perfect central hub for training and development. With course building on the cloud, you can create real-time learning materials with other agencies.
Streamline Collaboration with Intuto
Collaboration strategies drive innovation and productivity. Learning to work with others helps you compete in a modern market. The benefits of collaboration only serve to better your bottom line.
Armed with the tips from this article, you're ready to start organisational collaboration. A fantastic place to start is by integrating a collaboration-friendly LMS.
Intuto can be your hub for training development. Our software encourages collaboration through distance learning. Meet with us to try our product risk-free.
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