Collaboration as a Competitive Tool
With
the use of social media and other e-Tools on the rise, the word
"collaboration" has taken on new meaning and significance. More than
ever, collaboration means leveraging the strengths and ideas of others,
including those outside an organization.
Why Collaborate
If
you are not using collaboration as a competitive tool, then your
competitors are. By embracing collaboration you are better prepared to
compete in a complex and changing environment. According to a CNBC
series on collaboration, "In order to ensure success going forward,
organizations will need to adopt the next generation of technology,
plan for future innovation and collaboration, reinvent to stay current
and use new R&D to stay a step ahead."
Collaboration and Crowdsourcing
You
can begin fostering a culture of collaboration in your organization by
involving others in meetings and brainstorming sessions. For example,
if your organization is seeking business development ideas you can
solicit ideas from everyone in your department or organization. Since
everyone wants to make a meaningful impact on their company, including
others will allow them to become valued contributors. Additionally,
including others is a rewarding experience that can lead to successful
outcomes.
Some
organizations such as Microsoft have taken collaboration a step further
by involving their customers in new product development. This strategy
is known as "crowdsourcing," a method by which a job traditionally
performed by an employee is outsourced to a group of people usually in
the form of an open call. In his book Crowdsourcing: Why the Power of the Crowd is Driving the Future of Business, author Jeff Howe explains that crowdsourcing offers diversity by allowing crowds to solve complex problems.
The diversity of today's multi-generational workforce
also offers organizations the opportunity to tap into a rich source of
talent to solve problems and generate creative ideas. Clay Shirky
author of Here Comes Everybody, believes humans are innately good at working in groups and that anything that amplifies group effort can bring about change.
Effective Collaboration
For
collaboration to be effective, small groups of fifteen to even several
hundred individuals can be created to maintain the flow of knowledge
across the organization, break down traditional organizational
barriers, and reduce the amount of time it takes for individuals to get
answers to questions. In his book, Silo Busting, Dr. Ranjay
Gulati, Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business
School, “draws attention for the first time to the importance of both
internal and external integration.” Dr. Gulati states that, according
to research, up to fifty percent of collaborative efforts end
prematurely because objectives are not met. To achieve successful
outcomes start with a mission, a clear plan of action, aligned goals,
and clarity around roles.
Collaboration
has many benefits that can ultimately lead to success! With clear goals
and proper planning you will achieve win/win outcomes.
Share your thoughts: How does your organization practice collaboration?
Practice this process with your team: Collaboration: Harnessing the Ideas of Many
Sources:
CNBC Television
Gulati, R., http://www.ranjaygulati.com/
Howe, J., Crowdsourcing: Why the Power of the Crowd is Driving the Future of Business
Shirky, C., Here Comes Everybody
