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Collaboration is a term that is bandied about a lot these days but its meaning has been clouded, quite literally.

A base description of collaboration (thanks to the good folk at Wikipedia) is: Collaboration is the process of two or more people or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration is similar to cooperation.

Hop online and Google collaboration though, and once you get past the definitions, you’ll find a great many links to websites for cloud based software to enable collaboration. It seems that the process has now become a definition of a tool.

Cloud computing certainly allows better integration across sites, organisations and even countries. Here at CSC Buying Group, we are definitely enjoying its many benefits.

Software allowing multiple people to edit a document or comment on a notice board may assist with collaboration but by itself, it doesn’t create and encourage it. An organisation’s culture is what enables true collaboration. Working towards a common goal, trusting your colleagues, transparency by all parties, willingness to engage and supportive leadership will always have far more influence than software ever could.

As a leader you need to ensure that there is a common purpose and an atmosphere of trust within the group. Also provide ongoing, constructive feedback throughout the process and encourage others to do the same. Most importantly, remember to communicate, communicate, communicate.

Collaboration does not rely on software, it relies on people. Whiz-bang computer tools will assist but if you want your team to fully collaborate, it still comes down to you as a leader. Don’t get fooled by the “techies”, collaboration is a human process. It’s up to you to create the environment that will allow it to happen.

First published in Cambridge Chamber of Commerce News, Summer 2018

If you’re on LinkedIn and connected with anyone from the Waikato, chances are you would have seen at least one post around the Waikato Regional Economic Development Agency – now called Te Waka and the summit held last week.

Far from the collection of “Hamiltoncentric” corporates I feared would make up the majority of invitees, Dallas and his team did a fantastic job ensuring a good cross section of people attended. What was even more pleasing was the almost automatic view that economic development revolves around people and our communities. It was definitely a case of ‘ensuring no one was left behind’.

On the second day we were asked to, initially by ourselves, identify some strategies for growing the Waikato economy.

With the vocal support for people and the environment, my mind instantly went to my favourite topic – using business as a resource that we can use to grow and support our both our economy and our communities.

The doing good / having a purpose appeals to Gen Y and Z, Govt is now starting to look at capacity building in the social enterprise space and the unsustainable levels of charities in New Zealand all point to the fact that the time has come to change our thinking.

Charities and social enterprise are an internal resource we can use for economic growth, and the changing view of our business leaders means that doing good is no longer just a by-product (if that).

With all of this in mind, my ideas for stimulating the local economy are:

• Let’s fast track capability and capacity within businesses with authentic social goals.
• Invest to move many of our multitude of charities into productive social enterprise
•  Inform and support successful businesses to grow a new generation of Gallagher’s, Perry’s and DV Bryant

Specific action points I personally would love to see happen are:

1. Employ champions to promote and support this plan
2. Take the existing resources for training our business leaders and put it on steroids. CELF (Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation) is a good example. If we subsidised the fees, access would increase – and let’s take it to the regions as well.
3. Arrange purposeful networking -> includes business, local Govt, charities and social enterprise – we need to learn from each other. Imagine how powerful it would be for business leaders to hear the passion when social entrepreneurs share their stories. Coffee and discussing growth issues like cashflow, informal education and peer support.
4. Coordinate and promote impact investment. Funders are there but struggle to find purposeful businesses that are investment ready.
5. Engage mentors. Work with organisations like Business Mentors to develop and identify ideal mentors for this work. Varied skills are required including transitioning from a charity model, how to engage corporate directors on this journey, how to get investment ready, how to start up a social enterprise. We need to increase the width of mentor skills available
6. Proactively support the establishment of capacity builders like Impact Hubs, not forgetting of course other resources like Community Waikato.

These are only quick notes but I wanted to get them down and shared. This has been my message for a while but I believe that it’s important enough to keep repeating.

A great, concise definition from Impact Investment New Zealand

” Investing with the intention of generating a measurable and beneficial societal and/or environmental impact alongside a financial return. “

The big bang of creation has happened but we will never stop evolving….

https://sway.com/fHr0C8sW56qBXBrF?ref=Link&loc=play

If you haven’t officially signed up – now is a great time. Just let me know david@theoptimisticcynic.co.nz

Our next meeting will have a speaker – details to come

I met another awesome Social Entrepreneur yesterday.

The more you talk to people like this, the more optimistic you become about the future of our communities. Businesses with heart and passion seems to be increasingly mainstream.

It’s truly inspiring seeing how many fantastic people are out there looking to use a business idea to do good.

These days, we’re all using the term “authentic” – it’s a simple message but one that is so important and it does say so much.

As it is such an important term, I thought I’d just share the definition that I use.