Business Collaboration: Embracing a Holistic Approach

Are you acting as a “trusted partner” by viewing your customer holistically?

Within your existing customer base, are you maximizing business opportunities?

In her book, Teaming: How Organizations Learn, Innovate, and Compete in the Knowledge Economy, Harvard Business School Professor Amy C. Edmondson says, “In today’s complex and volatile business environment, corporations and organizations also win or lose by creating wholes that are greater than the sum of their parts. Intense competition, rampant unpredictability, and a constant need for innovation are giving rise to even greater interdependence and thus demand even greater levels of collaboration and communication than ever before. Teaming is essential to an organization’s ability to respond to opportunities…”.

The phrase from Edmondson’s book that so clearly resonates with me is “corporations and organizations also win or lose by creating wholes that are greater than the sum of their parts…”

Most businesses specialize in certain spaces. Affording us the opportunity to perfect our craft and be leaders in that space. However, none of us are “all things to all clients”.  Most of us, however, have former colleagues or reputable network acquaintances or service providers that also specialize in certain spaces, different than our own. A teaming agreement or partnership with a reputable colleague or small business entity broadens your reach, increases opportunities within your existing customer base and “creates wholes that are greater than the sum of your parts”.

Embrace the Holistic Approach. It’s a WIN-WIN-WIN proposition for you, your client and your colleague(s). iSeek has had very effective partnerships that broaden our reach, yet remain consistent with our guiding principal of customer-focused solutions. To find out more about our holistic approach, subscribe to our blog, follow us on LinkedIn or contact us today info@iseeksolutionsinc.com!