For the last 10 years, I’ve traveled the world building innovation ecosystems.
As a business matchmaker, I support companies in weaving strong networks around their vision so that they can achieve their dreams and be effective change makers.
What’s my secret sauce for fostering successful, long-term collaborations?
Personal due diligence.
Personal DD is the process of going beyond the deck or website to understand who the people are behind an idea.
It's about understanding another company's vision and values and how that aligns with your organization's dreams.
It's about understanding a partner's needs and how to really support their growth.
It's about looking for synergies and building on strengths.
It's about determining if you're compatible before you go on a second date and open all the books, get into all the details.
To build business models based on collaboration and impact, we have to develop trust.
I have found personal due diligence (yes, this is a term I made up) is the most effective method for building relationships for long-term impact.
After all, business is all about relationships.
So, why aren't we spending more time developing relationships that are built to last?
PS: The first step to building a strong collaboration is having a clear vision.
Visions get people excited. They unite everyone around a higher, shared purpose. They inspire participation.
If you're planning a team-building workshop for your company, consider doing a Visionary Workshop with me. I will facilitate your team in creating a shared vision that will get everyone on the same page and set the stage for new business and partnership opportunities. Reply back for more info.