~ by Alan W
Knowing what is important to the person you are considering collaborating with (be it as employee, vendor, partner, etc.) gives you a blueprint for how to approach your potential collaboration and a better idea of how successful this collaboration could be in the long-term.
This will enable you to create a proposition that speaks to the person deeply, and it will help to ensure that you both succeed in the collaboration endeavor.
Passion, Growth, and Learning
People who are driven by passion or a desire to grow and learn new things share a common denominator – an excitement and an energy surrounding their pursuit. Open to change when change is due rather than clinging onto old ways that prohibit evolution.
Values, Business Culture and Alignment
A natural synergy in what we believe in is essential in order to unlock the power of a collaboration. When we share beliefs and a common cause, we connect with the businesses and individuals in them in a way that equips us to do great things together. We need to feel like we are part of a team that’s moving in the same direction.
Growth Trajectory
Most businesses have a sense of where they want to go, whether it be place in the market, areas of expertise and share of voice, or span of influence. When we hit a roadblock in any of these areas, this can be a strong motivating factor to make a change with regards to whom they do business with. We need to collaborate with those businesses and individuals who share our professional growth trajectory in a way that collaboration is the means to enhance this journey to reach our business goals.
Compensation
Money may not buy happiness, but it is a basic necessity and the foundation of a business. Compensation can be viewed through different lenses because it comes in many forms. This is about adding value, financial being highly important, but not everything. What value does your business collaboration bring to both parties? Financial yes, but also consider some out of the box thinking here: the value of connecting one anothers clients, customers, suppliers, vendors; or perhaps the value of shared resources; maybe complimentary bartering of products and services, or lead generation, and the list goes on.
Understanding the business and individuals motivations not only helps in closing the collaborative initiative, but it also creates an environment that ensures the longevity and impact of the collaboration. Motivation is one of the biggest predictors of long-term success.
Work with Alan W
“Solving niche challenges founders face”.
Illustrator: Lisa Williams (Instagram: @artist_llw)