a big learning curve for us and something we’ll continue to push.
VG: As well as collaboration it is having those networks to go to. I’m part of a CFO WhatsApp group with more than 150 people that also meets a couple of times a year.
If I am thinking of something, such as introducing a new clocking-in system, I can just go to the group straight away and ask who is using such a system and what they recommend. I can go to them for reviews. It is all about building networks.
What gets in the way of businesses collaborating?
SW: Aligning it to make sure everyone has the same vision and the same values is so important to success of collaboration. If that doesn’t happen it can be detrimental to what you are trying to achieve.
HH: Lack of trust is the biggest one. Ego gets in the way and having a fixed mindset. It there’s no win-win it is not going to work, it has to work for both parties.
There are plenty of opportunities where it can work and it is just having that growth mindset. Communication is also essential. Some people get it, and some don’t, you can tell who does pretty quickly.
SC: Sometimes it’s short-sightedness. You have to build that trust and that relationship for the long-term benefit. It is striking that balance.
SW: Build the relationship initially and having that in place will lead to collaboration. I’ve found those kinds of collaborations are a lot more successful and long lasting.
ZW: The attitude to collaboration as a whole is really positive now. However, there are still people that are very protective. It is about knowing your strengths and your weaknesses. For us it is also about the long-game.
Is Lancashire a collaborative county?
SBr: Burnley Bondholders is a great example of where it is working really well. It’s more than 200 Burnley businesses collaborating, with no obvious end win other than to promote the borough as a great place to live, work and invest.
It is 13 years old now and has been held up across the UK as an examplar of how businesses, the third sector and the public
sector can work together altruistically and work really well.
You look at all the local authorities in Lancashire and some are doing a really good job of promoting their own areas. Perhaps now is the time for them to step back from some of that and promote Lancashire and for our local authorities, politicians and leaders to come together to truly collaborate on promoting the county.
Through collaboration we
gain insights that we wouldn’t get if we just stayed in our own box
GC: As with a lot of things it is a case of ‘could do better’. What we have been talking about today is being open to recognise that relationships might not necessarily result in a sale that day, but it is about building that relationship and seeing where that conversation goes.
As individuals and business within the county it certainly feels like there is more of that happening. Businesses are also linking into the third sector and academia and those relationships in the county seem really strong. At grass roots level there is an openness within this county.
SC: There are so many benefits to keeping things local, whether that is in the manufacturing or data sectors. If we can use and source things locally it just helps. There are so many benefits and there is huge value to them. They can be great for everyone.
ME: It raises the question, why wouldn’t you collaborate with people you trust? Why would you not try to grow your business? It’s easier and faster to learn things through people you trust.
HH: The opportunity is here for us. My attitude is simple. I want to grow people who grow companies that grow opportunities for our kids.
As long as we can grow the county we are doing well because it is creating those opportunities.
Let’s put that message in lights, why it is good for everyone. That will pull people in rather than trying to push them into doing collaboration.
SW: There is a knowledge and education piece around the benefits, there is work to be done there. But on the whole we do collaborate very well and there are always opportunities for more collaboration and more growth.
SB: We should absolutely showcase collaboration more and promote it far and wide. I speak to people who have come from outside the area and they are amazed by the level of networking, the level of engagement, the friendliness and the openness.
We could always do better but there is a lot that is taking place that is really positive. There are huge opportunities.
What piece of advice would you give to businesses looking to start collaborations?
SBr: Drop your guard, go into it without expectations and they will be exceeded by the power of collaboration.
ZW: Be open-minded, be honest and allow for the growth.
SB: You have to collaborate if you want to grow your business
VG: Nurture relationships. While you might not want to use them now, in the longer term you may.
SC: Front load the value. Giving without the expectation to receive adds to that relationship and that long-term partnership.
SW: I would say have a clear vision and make sure that your values align.
HH: The most basic form of collaboration is a conversation and you can learn something from every conversation. If you don’t, it’s your fault.
ME: Look at what your customers want and align with people who can match that.
GC: There are a few core things that sit at the heart of all this. Trust and the alignment of values, and do you like and can you see yourself working with the people? But the biggest one is open-mindedness. It is having that growth mindset.
We collaborate because we recognise the ‘why’ - which is we are stronger and more successful together. We can deliver better for our customers and each other together.
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