Collaborating to Create Value: Power to the people

Collaborating to Create Value: Power to the people

Too often people rely on positional power and short-term transactional behaviours to reach their outcomes. To create value and nurture cooperation, these need to be substituted with long term thinking with the relationships interests in mind, particularly when there are differing geographical locations, cultures, educations, ages and views on how to reach an outcome.

To collaborate effectively it is important to identify the common ground that motivates cooperative behaviours and sustains relationships.

A simple and smart example of collaboration comes from the residents of Warrandyte in Victoria who have formed Climate Action Now (CAN). By collaborating to organise a bulk energy buy, its members are able to invite power companies to tender offers. This collaboration means members receive lower power bills, discount offers and the opportunity to influence power companies towards green energy choices.

Other useful examples of how collaboration stimulates innovation and creates new value can be found by visiting the website of Local Motors and BMW Gina. Local Motors created a business model that lets you design and build your own motor vehicle. It is an excellent example of internet collaboration. The BMW GINA initiative shows how metal vehicle panels can be substituted and how collaboration opens up new thinking.

Self-coaching tips

  • Ensure decision making is long term, transparent and unambiguous
  • Build inclusive agreements by valuing collective knowledge and skills above perceived status and bargaining
  • Ensure that those involved understand the task and have the motivation and competency to achieve the outcome
  • Manage difference by being mindful of the long-term impact on the relationship and the opportunities for mutual gains or losses
  • Build and verify trust by determining in advance any boundaries and the information needed to create value
  • Manage power imbalances by creating face-saving options and by seeking to create value rather than just claim value

Archive  

Avoiding Buyer's Remorse: Knowing when to close

Breaking Deadlocks: AFL resolves stalemate

Changing Perceptions: Shane Warne recalls advice

Collaborating to Create Value: Power to the people

Coping Strategies: Managing difficult Negotiators

Creating Alternatives: Flying fresh milk to China

Creating Points of Influence: Russell Crowe gets his leading lady

Cultural Differences: SONY Walkman designed for harmony

Defining Fairness: US German trade negotiations

Difficult Conversations: Thalidomide sufferers seek empathy

Elon Musk: When to negotiate

Engaging the Enemy: US and Taliban peace talks

Finding Common Ground: US Firearm reforms

Gun Tragedies: We hear you

Hostage Negotiations: A frontline perspective

Identity Needs: Tobacco now a nobody

Influencing Timelines: The brave new world of regulators

In Focus: Black Friday Negotiation Strategies

In Focus: Negotiating Roles

In Focus: Winning Together

Leadership Without Authority: Reducing domestic violence

Managing COVID-19 Renegotiations

Managing Power Imbalances

Managing Uncertainty: New freeway gets a red light

Measuring Negotiation Costs

Mindsets: It’s a choice!

Negotiating Teams & Coalitions

Negotiating with Agents

Negotiation Preparation: Prime Minster wins election

Negotiation Styles: Managing aggressive behaviours

Price Haggling: Strategies to position value

Problem Solving: Calm in the cockpit

Problem Solving: Delivering outcomes

Restoring Relationships: Saying sorry

Setting the Scene: Automotive executives fly into a storm

Shaping Mindsets: AVIS We try harder

Taylor Swift: Giving others a voice

The Authentic Negotiator

The Power of Language: A statement or a question?

Timing Concessions: Bangladesh factory tragedy

Traits of Skilled Negotiators: Nelson Mandela

Verifying Trust: World soccer cup and gulf of Mexico oil spill


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