30 odd years ago, when I was just starting out on my self-employed journey, I tendered for a contract to provide business support and training to retailers in a London borough. I won one third of the contract. The other two thirds were awarded to a marketing consultant who had been running her own business for 11 years. We were told we’d get on. Fortunately, we did. It was the start of a successful collaboration that rapidly grew my business.
Our collaboration worked because we liked each other, we had complementary skills and we laid out the ground rules for our collaboration right at the outset.
Over the years we pitched for other collaborative opportunities winning most of them. Sometimes we’d bring in other specialists to make us a more diverse team and to fill in the gaps in our knowledge and experience.
Those collaborations were fundamental to growing my business and without them I may have had to make other employment choices.
At Fabulous Networking we believe that collaborations are an effective way to grow our businesses. It is the focus of our introduction rounds in July.
So, in your introductions we would like you to…
- Tell us what you do in one sentence
- Share an opportunity for collaboration if you have one
- Tell us about a type of collaboration you would be interested in
Let’s look at the last two points in a bit more detail.
Share an opportunity for collaboration if you have one
Are you planning an event for which you need exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, promoters etc.? Would you be willing to trade that opportunity for something other than money?
For instance, you might decide that you could give a speaking opportunity in return some sponsorship or promotion. You could collaborate on a promotional campaign where you each promote the other’s events to your audience.
Tell us about a type of collaboration you would be interested in
How could a collaboration help you to grow your business, save you money or offer a better experience to your customers?
For example you could look to share a piece of equipment you don’t need all the time with another local business owner who has a similar need… laminators, binders, projectors are possible examples.
Would a joint marketing campaign work for you? Maybe you could put on an event with other business owners. Craft businesses often collaborate on open studios events. How could you adapt that model?
Is there something your customers need before or after they need your services? For example, a divorce lawyer’s clients may need a counsellor before deciding to go ahead. They might want a therapist or coach to decide what’s next after the divorce has gone through.
An accountant’s customers may need a bookkeeper or virtual assistant before they’re ready for the accountant and maybe a marketing consultant when they realise how little money they are making.
A web developer might want their clients to have had guidance from a marketing strategist before they are willing to start on the website. They may work alongside a copywriter or graphic designer.
Introducing your business at our July meetings
How could you offer a more complete service for your clients by collaborating with another business or even more than one?
That’s what we want to hear in our July introduction rounds.
Here are some examples to inspire you…
- I help people get their books in order ready for the accountant. I’m looking to collaborate with a business coach who works with busy business owners who need to outsource some of their non-core tasks.
- I handmake a range of organic skincare products which are kind to the skin and the environment. I’d like to collaborate with a corporate gift suppler that wants to offer more sustainable and bespoke products to their customers.
- I help people save money on their utility bills. I’m looking to collaborate with a financial planner or life coach that is helping people to achieve their long-term financial goals.
- I’m a nutritional therapist helping people to eat better, lose weight and improve their well-being. I’m looking for complementary therapists who would be interested in putting on a well-being event for small business owners.
- I tutor 9-11 year olds to help them pass entrance exams to senior schools. I would like to work with a school uniform supplier to do a joint marketing campaign.
I look forward to hearing your introductions in July and to being able to put you in touch with potential collaborators even if they are not in the room at the time you speak.
