How to choose a stellar collaboration team
Every entrepreneur has to lean on others to get their idea flying. Support might come in the form of investment, accountancy, web design or just a shoulder to cry on when things don’t quite go to plan.
One thing’s for sure: successful business owners rarely go it alone.
If you’re anything like me, you probably feel a teensy bit cautious about handing over company responsibilities to someone else. After all, you’ll always care more than anyone about turning those business dreams into a fulfilling, bill-paying reality.
But it’s important to remember that even Batman and Wonder Woman had their sidekicks, and you need yours too. The right support can improve the quality and efficiency of your brand, getting you where you want to go more quickly.
Ready to collaborate? Here’s how to get the business backup you, and your brand, need.
What makes for a great collaboration?
There are a few founding principles of any great collaboration. Knowing which boxes to tick will help you to find exactly the right person for the task at hand.
The same values
You should always work with people who get you and what you’re trying to achieve. Time is precious and you shouldn’t have to spend valuable hours explaining your brand’s ethics to people who just aren’t on the same page.
Pick collaborators who align with your values and are excited by your ideas. That way, you’ll always be pulling in the same direction.
The right skills (and a clear division of labor)
Working with people who boast top-level skills is a no-brainer. You want the very best for your business, right?
So when it comes to something like choosing an accountant, you know exactly what you’re looking for and where the skills divide lies. You run the business, they do the books. Simple.
When you take on someone to help with admin tasks or marketing, however, it’s good to be clear on exactly where your responsibilities end — and theirs begin.
It helps if both you, and your prospective collaborator, are honest about your strengths and weaknesses. A stellar collaboration team should complement one another — by plugging skill gaps, not doubling-up on work.
Good communication
Everything moves much more smoothly when communication is clear and easy. A collaborator should be someone you can bounce ideas off and someone who will respect your opinion.
That said, always hearing “Yeah, great idea!” won’t do you any favors in the long run. Is your collaborator there to inflate your ego, or to help grow your business?
Get someone on board with the confidence to challenge you and the alternate perspective will help you to make better, more considered business decisions.
How to build your collaboration team
Ready to put a stellar collaboration team together? Here’s what you need to do:
Pick the best
They say you should hire people who are better than you, and that couldn’t be truer in this instance. You’re likely putting a lot of time and money into this collaboration — it needs to pay off.
It can be hard as a business owner to put your ego aside and welcome more skilled or experienced people into the mix. But pick the very best collaborators you can afford and you’ll reap the rewards!
Accept that quality costs
You may find yourself balking at some of the hourly rates you come across in your search for the perfect collaborator. But — whatever you do — don’t skimp unnecessarily.
Top talents demand higher fees. This might mean investing more than you had anticipated, but that investment is much more likely to pay off when you’ve got another great mind pushing your business forward.
Be clear on expectations
What do you want to get out of this collaboration? Do you need your collaborator in the office or online 9 to 5? Do you want daily calls to check in with progress?
Establish the ground rules of this collaboration. And make sure your business buddy has the time and capacity to stick to them.
Trust your instincts
When deciding who you want to let into your brand’s inner circle, trust your instincts. Do you get a good vibe from them? Do they seem dependable? Can you trust them with website passwords and the “keys” to petty cash?
When you’re working closely with someone, especially if they’re a backer or investor, you need to feel that they’re 100% the right fit for you and your brand.
Looking to collaborate on web, brand or graphic design?
Here at Street Designed, we’re proud to be a trusted collaborator for brands in many sectors. We help small businesses get off the ground or refresh their look with cohesive and engaging brand design.
If you’re sick of spinning all the plates, let us take web, brand and graphic design off your to-do list. Book your free consultation today!
