February is here and love is in the air. It is that time of the year when everyone is searching for the perfect relationship or adding something special to an existing relationship. The same can be said for businesses; however, businesses are searching for the perfect partners and solidifying existing partnerships.
Some of you may be sick of all things Valentine-related already. You might be shaking your heads and wondering why the heck we are tying this concept to a Hallmark© holiday and the answer is simple - in today’s world, you need to show those you work with that you value their endeavors just like you need to show a loved one just how much you care. Think about it, for you to be successful, you need to: build relationships, nurture established relationships, and build strong partnerships. So, Valentine’s Day seems like a great place to start, especially when you consider that, just like a great personal relationship, a great business partnership needs motivation, passion, and commitment.
Remember the old saying, “Two heads are better than one?”
Well, we can confidently say it is true! Partnering with a co-worker and/or a client brings new ideas to the table, fresh approaches to problem-solving, and additional skill sets. When successful, partnerships are mutually beneficial to the parties involved; it sets the tone for a collaborative environment. It is through collaborations that innovation is possible and you are able to achieve more.
For ParadoxLabs, we realize that our success is dependent on our relationships with clients and, when those clients become partners, the resulting collaboration results in a wealth of resources, continuous growth for both, and outstanding performance. According to Rick Spence of Financial Post, sustained growth of a business begins with partnerships with individuals and other businesses. These partnerships will be seen in various forms from sharing resources, skills, knowledge, and technology to marketing and advertising each other’s products and services.
During the month of January, we partnered with our client BACKCOUNTRY EDGE as part of our Better Communities Initiative. For the month of January, we chose to support local Boy Scout Troop 102 in their efforts to obtain needed camping gear for 2015 outings. When we reached out to BACKCOUNTRY EDGE, they generously offered a 10% discount to anyone who ordered the items for the troop via our blog post about the event. To get the ball rolling, BACKCOUNTRY EDGE donated the requested items the troop needed, as did we.
Although we were unable to generate more donations, we believe the partnership with BACKCOUNTRY EDGE created the opportunity to have candid and quality conversations, resulting in a true value-add partnership. It opened the door to shared vision and mission that has the potential to lead to innovative growth for both parties.
So, what can you do today to start building those relationships and forming partnerships?
- Find the individuals or businesses that have an understanding of your goals.
- Ask yourself how both parties can add value to one another and how both can move forward together to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
- Open the lines of communication and invite a sharing of information, skill, and talent.
- Once communication begins, it must be followed up and continued.
As communication openly flows, the culture of the camaraderie and partnership will follow. Former obstacles and boundaries will be removed and you will both begin to have a sense that no challenge or obstacle can get in the way. From here, the results are endless and include:
- The ability to capitalize on the individual strengths of each participating business
- Access to contacts and links to the community/stakeholders who may prove beneficial to your long-term plans
- The ability to better serve your customers and provide them with what they need
In today’s business world, flying solo is okay; however, to achieve sustainable growth and ultimate success, you really should consider building partnerships that are mutually beneficial.