How to Collaborate
‘Greed is good’. ‘Competition is good’. ‘Winning is all’. ‘CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES AT ALL COSTS’.
You will likely have heard at least one of these heartwarming mantras at some point in your life (hopefully not from a parent). In business, they are certainly still commonplace. But do those in tech really need an ‘us vs. them’ mentality to succeed? Do you do better if you’re hunkered in a bunker alone throwing grenades at all enemies, or do you progress by allying with those who can help achieve your objectives, even if the end-goals occasionally come into conflict?
Effectively building mutually beneficial relationships takes time and effort, and comes with a certain amount of risk.
It is natural to have competitors. Collaboration sounds easy, but often goes against your better instincts and can be a daunting prospect. Whether you’re a front-end developer who needs back-end advice, a startup looking to share vans to cut supply chain costs, or you simply need help from someone taller to get a book off a top shelf, effectively building mutually beneficial relationships takes time and effort, and comes with a certain amount of risk. For example, they could take the book for themselves and run away.
Below is a quick guide on how to effectively source, build, and maintain collaborations.
Choose wisely
It’s important to know your enemy, and even more so if you’re trying to become friends. Do your research and find people whose skills will truly benefit you. This is even more important when they are working in a field you don’t fully understand. If you’ve had an idea for an app and want to work with a developer, research exactly what you need before you go to them. Equally, work out what it is they need so you can offer them what they want straight off the bat.
A fledgling blockchain startup is probably wasting its time asking Apple to collaborate on a project. Find someone you’ll be able to offer something to.
The same goes if you’re looking for a company to work with. It’s easy to look at the biggest, most influential players in your industry and think bingo, that’s who we should be working with. Unfortunately, this most likely won’t be the case. A fledgling blockchain startup is probably wasting its time asking Apple to collaborate on a project as they’re currently not working on any (as far as I know…). It’s also unlikely you’ll be able to offer them anything in return. Find someone you’ll actually be able to do something for.
Think outside the box
Potential partners don’t have to occupy the exact same market as you, just have overlapping interests. A great example of this is the collaboration between HP and Beats. Specialising in audio accessories, Beats has participated in well-received ventures with HP, with a range of the tech company’s laptops being fitted with signature Beats speakers.
By bringing in a giant name in consumer audio equipment, HP have been able to offer a product that appeals to a wide market segment, using the brand recognition of Beats. Likewise, Beats was able to extend its reach to laptop consumers.
Approach the right people
Don’t go straight to the CEO of the other company and pitch your idea — no matter how many times it works in the movies. They’ll probably have better things to do and think you’re an idiot. Rather, work on building a network of contacts within the company, using existing contacts to introduce you when possible.
Make sure everyone wins
This is fundamental. Relationships need to be mutually beneficial or they will breed resentment. While your instincts will naturally be to get the best deal for you, make sure to consider the long term implications of a relationship and ensure they are gaining something from it too. Equally, make sure you don’t get taken advantage of yourself.
Be transparent
Another of the main drivers of resentment is missed targets. Be realistic when setting expectations and open about any obstacles (or mistakes) that might prevent them from being met.
Be forgiving of their mistakes — don’t throw your toys out of the pram over every typo.
It’s a question of if, not when people make a mistake, so they will be forgiving. Equally, be forgiving of their mistakes — don’t throw your toys out of the pram over every typo.
Meet in person
Programs like Skype, Facetime and Slack have made the process of collaboration across continents a reality. However, while these networking tools are invaluable on a day-to-day basis, face-to-face meetings are still more effective. Not only can relationships be better cemented and grown in person, but there is also the opportunity for direct hands-on demonstrations of product development, progress reports and easy Q&A opportunities for developers and marketers, and a general fostering of trust and transparency.
Patience is key
The results of your collaborative enterprise will likely not come overnight. Relationships take time to form as you get to know each other’s working practices, understand better how you can share resources, and begin to truly trust one another. They key is to be patient — results will come.
Come to Primalbase
Obviously, this is a short cut so we probably should have led with it. Collaboration is the driving force behind everything we do. Our shared workspaces are exclusively for those working at the cutting edge of new technology, therefore bringing together people who have much to offer one another.
Our shared workspaces are exclusively for those working at the cutting edge of new technology, therefore bringing together people who have much to offer one another.
At Primalbase, we have designed our offices with a range of different areas, offering different sizes and levels of privacy, specifically to provoke collaboration. We also run regular events in our spaces, where people can discuss their ideas, develop new ideas, and work through challenges together. Stop by and check it out for yourself!
