I asked one of the best event and meeting planners to share her thoughts on my blog and truly love what she has to say about 'collaborating with competitors'.
I totally agree with her words of wisdom.
After you read what Mary has to say– reach out to her via her website www.EventGrp.com
and I recommend her highly.
Fostering Collaboration Among Competitors
A Sign of the Times
Prior to the financial collapse in 2008, competitors were
threatened by one another. Period. Perfunctory handshakes represented the
extent of competitive relationships.
Since that time, I have observed a change in temperature among industry
peers, vendors and business people in general.
I find the new warmth completely refreshing and inspirational.
It seems that hard times have softened business people, or
at least forced them to be more open-minded.
Recently, I received an unwelcome solicitation from a
service-provider. The salesperson
convinced me to meet with she and the head of the company. As a result of the meeting, we are currently
discussing ways to co-develop a product.
Both companies will put in sweat equity and recoup the cost through sales. We are both striving to create a mutually
beneficial relationship.
Not only is it smart to align with a company with differing
capabilities, but also it turns out to be quite fun. That’s right, I used the “F” word in a business article. This evolving business environment can be
enjoyable and productive.
Fear Impedes Growth
Why do others threaten professionals who operate in the same
or similar space? I think it is because we’re all comfortable with what we know
and do well. In order to improve our
skills, advance our careers and ultimately grow our businesses, it’s time to
stretch and think differently. We impede
our own growth. No one else has that much power over us, not even our
competitors.
I run a conference and event management company. It dawned
on me one day while I was meeting with a holistic product sales rep what an
unlikely pair we were. How were we going to bridge the gap between our
professions and create a win-win business scenario for both of us? The answers can
be abundant. We began with a simple
discussion that spawned idea generation and various networking opportunities
for one another.
Collaborate Not Complicate
The examples I cited are emblematic of the potential we
could all reach. Thus, I encourage you to rethink your approach to doing
business and cultivating your network.
By squelching the little voice inside your head that says “this is a
waste of time”, train that voice to say “I’ve never thought of it this way
before; let’s see where it might lead us.” Share your stories; the movement is
contagious. We are each responsible to collaborate – it doesn’t need to be
complicated.
Mary Adams, CMP, MBA
owns Event Consulting Group, a conference and event management company. She is
a speaker on the subject of entrepreneurship, marketing and meeting planning.
To contact Mary, send an email to [email protected].
Mary E. Adams, CMP–Event Consulting Group www.EventGrp.com and www.TheLangfordsGroup.com