Collaboration in the New, New Economy

Picture this, you’re reading your local news or even the WSJ and somebody you know, has gone further, faster, toward YOUR dream.  Instead of saying… That proves it can be done, or well done , how can I to add to that fabulous idea, instead your competitive thinking jumps in first to  say, “S/HE will succeed instead of me! ”   

That way of thinking about your competition is the old guard thinking – it’s was about crushing your competition because otherwise how would you get your piece of the pie?

Part of what keeps people from implementing their ideas is that they are still trying to re-enter their same field, grow their business in the same old ways, or beating their heads against the wall repeating old tactics that don’t work.

Hello Collaboration! The way we do business is changing. The old business models and strategies are not working anymore and may be doing more harm than good. Are you ready for the coming economic shift in how you’ll conduct your business going forward? By 2010, the days (and ways) of doing business via simply supplying your clients with the right information, at the right price, are going to be gone.   The new social era of consumers are smarter and they are looking for smart suppliers -  empathetic  businesses and individuals that can deliver innovative, one stop shopping solutions – creative solutions – that are based on what their ‘heart’ tells them versus what their ‘head’ used to dictate was right.  In the new, new economy I submit that the consumer/purchaser can “smell out” a business that is operating from old guard thinking.   They just don’t want that any more and they will pay more if the the value is there.  Collaboration should bring value for all.

I liked what author, Julia Cameron refers to as the Entrepreneurial Compare and Contrast school of strategic thinking – Julia opines that it may be fine place for critics or self-critics, but it’s  not 21st Century thinking which is what is required for entrepreneurs  in the act of creation – of implementing new and innovative programs and products. 

When We Compete With Others, We Focus our Creative Concerns on the Market Place Only 

And…. that’s the sprint mentality of the Old Guard.  Instead of thinking just short term win – try thinking in terms of long-term gains for you, your collaborators and yes, your customers/clients and the planet!  Think with a solutions-focused lens AND think with the Collaborative Factor in mind. 

To think BIG as entrepreneur – you need to shift your mindset to THINK BIG.  Collaborative thinking is an awakening.  Awaken to the fact that you and your company are not alone – seek out  other professionals that have a real interest in your success because they have a passion for their own success.  There is a matrix of possiblities when you creatively and intelligently think collaboratively.  (Hint: my business focus and online collaborative community)

Create platforms for collaboration that are open, transparent, and accessible.  The success of the my company including the online network and the other programs I run design for organizations – is found in my seeking out to experiment with new ways of collaborating and partnering to achieve greater influence, spread innovation, and support one another to thrive and survive in the new world economy.

What does collaborative thinking mean to you? How are you applying those principles and are you seeing results?