Daily Archives: July 28, 2014

• Traditionally businesses have been very cautious about sharing information but perhaps openness can be an advantage. Cautious because if your competitors get hold of your information, they may gain an advantage. Perhaps there is a case for secrecy with some things, such as a secret recipe. However businesses making their research data available, find there can be advantages. For example, a prize for the best interpretation of data might draw the expertise of many people into working unpaid for the business. Small organisations with little valuable data can benefit from sharing their problems. Blogs that tell the story of an artist or an entrepreneur might build a group of followers who support their work.
• Online systems such as Linus, WordPress or Wikis are all examples of where groups of people work together without formal hierarchy. Online work opens up possible collaborations between all sorts of people. This happens informally. Whilst someone might start a project and become the principal beneficiary, many others might help bring the project to fruition. In return the principle beneficiary may help others out with their projects. Such approaches build trusted relationships and sharing new opportunities.
• Many organisations find sharing online is the best policy for their business. Sharing a project with several others may mean you earn less from that project but find you get more offers of work via your partners. You may find your unique niche, something you enjoy doing and can to do for your partners. Everyone therefore works more effectively, earning through doing what they most enjoy.  A small group who enjoys their work are more likely to find innovative approaches.
• Collaboration can happen anywhere in the world; markets can be worldwide. This is not always an advantage. For many businesses, a local or national market makes sense. However, there are always opportunities for collaboration. Even if your market is local, you may benefit from being in touch with others doing similar work in other places.

Implications for Local Organisations

I suspect online collaboration is something third sector organisations have been slow to explore.  Networks of small organisations who share the same market could collaborate online.  They could share marketing on one site or promote each other on their own sites.  Shared sites might cut the costs of site design and ongoing maintenance.  A shared site might offer integrated services provided by a number of small organisations.  There may be complications, eg having contracts with more than one organisation, although this could be mitigated by subcontracting work through a single provider.  Integrated networks might also mentor new businesses, helping them become established.

Some businesses may find they can build networks with other businesses at remote locations.  For example, web design itself does not need partners to be in the same town or even the same country.

There is no need to enter into full partnerships on day one.  A few organisations might help one another out through guidance and support.  They could experiment with one-off collaborations and move to promoting and integrated service as patterns that work for them emerge.

That’s the theory but what’s happening in practice?  If you know of interesting examples, please let me know.