By Sarah Wood, founder of Sarah Wood Communication and member of NAWBO Greater DC
Success in business, much like in life, depends on your ability to collaborate. No one can be an expert on everything. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. We all have a limited amount of time, energy and resources.
To be successful, we must collaborate. We must tap into the skill sets, specialized knowledge, experience and networks of other individuals and organizations. As the famous quote says, “No man [or in NAWBO’s case, no woman] is an island.” Successful collaborations help us:
- Develop and/or offer new products or services
- Raise awareness by expanding our reach
- Introduce different perspectives
- Use resources more effectively
But how do you set the stage for an effective collaboration? You utilize clear and effective communication from the get-go. My logistical tips:
- Establish a primary point of contact within each organization
- Co-create goals, so that all parties have “bought in” and have a stake in a successful collaborative effort
- Draft a written agreement (formal or informal, based on the relationship) that details each party’s responsibilities
- Specify your expectations regarding the type and frequency of communication and interaction, and how updates will be provided
Now you’ve set the stage for success, but how do you ensure your communication is effective moving forward? My communication tips:
- Use clear and plain language. Jargon, nicknames and acronyms that are commonly used within your organization may be unknown or unclear to those outside of it.
- Opt for over communicating versus under. Don’t assume that your collaborator knows your thought processes or has the same background information or assumptions as you.
- Be honest and upfront. Transparency and trust are key to a successful collaboration.
- Keep messages short and sweet. The shorter the message is and the clearer the ask, the more likely it will be responded to.
- Clarify who is doing what and by when. If communicating in writing, capture action items and send those out to the team. If communicating verbally, close the conversation with a round-up of action items and next steps.
Effective communication is key to a successful collaboration. It prevents misunderstandings, delays, cost overruns and damaged relationships. Make your life easier, and your business more successful, by choosing to implement best practices for communicating with your partners, colleagues and contractors.
About the Author…
Sarah Wood is the founder of Sarah Wood Communication, a boutique communication agency dedicated to helping illuminate the work of purpose-driven organizations and sharing those stories with targeted audiences by providing customized communication strategies and services.