The importance of co-operation

22/01/13

Recently published by our business coach partner, Rasheed Ogunlaru, 'Soul Trader - Putting the Heart Back into Your Business' helps entrepreneurs follow their passion and build a business you and your customers will love.

This is the fourth in a series of 8 articles sharing tips and insight from the books main principles.

Rasheed runs the Your life, your business workshop in the Centre.

Co-operation

So you have the clarity of what you want, you understand your customers and you’ve tapped into your courage.

But how are you going to get there and achieve your goals? Whether you’re looking to own a chain of shops or work as a consultant to be your own boss, the journey will require co-operation.

The first principle within co-operation is to realise that absolutely everything is interconnected, interdependent and inter-related. The second principle is to therefore realise that everybody needs some sort of help: you, customers, suppliers, other businesses.

So what help do you need? Write a list of all the types of support, tools and resources that you need to get from where you are to where you want to get to.

Be very specific about it. It may be that you need an new accountant, web designer, admin help or someone who can help with marketing and PR.

Utilising your network

Now that you’ve identified what you need, utilise your network to help you. Most small businesses I speak to gain their business through word of mouth and referrals.

Identify who you know, much of the expertise you need will be within your network and your network will additionally have access to contacts, potential customers and other resources.

Building your network

Network where your customers are, network where your peers are, join professional groups, and attend exhibitions and shows. Be visible, engage and interact - both in terms of your existing and new network .

The key is be co-operative, collaborative and to see how you can help each other. Build rapport, respect and reciprocity.

You will need people with differing strengths, skills and styles but it pays to ensure that the people you work with share your values.

What kind of co-operation do you need and could work for you

Friends and family – who could help you and how can you help them?
Freelancers / ad hoc help – be aware what expertise you could pay for to get things done
Virtual support / part time admin – this is often a good stepping stone before hiring staff
Swapping skills, joint ventures – work together, cross refer and punch beyond your weight
Hiring staff – Is it time to hire staff? If you have staff, how can you inspire, support and develop them?

A key note

This approach only works if you genuinely connect and care about the person be it a business partner, new contacts, supplier or customer.

Find out more about Rasheed and Soul Trader - Putting the Heart Back into Your Business