Cindi Pree

Executive Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator
Bellingham, Washington

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Collaboration - Just Buzz?

The proof is in the pudding. Read about how one group of entrepreneurs collaborated for a win-win-win event!

Written Jan 28, 2010, read 1195 times since then.

It is a buzz word, that's clear. Many of those steeped in the mindset of competition may not understand, yet, what the hype is about. For many entrepreneurs it is far more than just buzz. There are many business owners who believe it is a key to survival. At the very least, there is much comfort and camaraderie to be found in collaboration, no matter the current economy or the size or longevity of your business.

The "Put Your Best Face Forward" Biznik-hosted event that took place yesterday in Bellingham, Washington, was a case study for the win-win-win results of collaboration. The event was a showcase for several local businesses to promote ways for entrepreneurs to give themselves and their businesses a makeover for the new year.

Conceiving and implementing ways to showcase your product or service may seem daunting. Alone, it is exactly that for most of us! But, here's how it can play out with collaboration: Lori Richardson, Score More Sales, had a kernel of an idea about a business makeover event, but no time in her schedule to develop the idea. She mentioned it to Mark Turner, Turner Photographics. Mark contacted Cindi Pree, Kulshan Group, because he knew she was had experience with and was open to co-hosting events. Jim Carney, Gateway Centre Executive Suites, agreed to co-host and provide the perfect venue for the event. One brainstorming, coffee-drinking meeting , a few phone calls, and 5 days later important details were worked out, presenters on board, and the event was being promoted to Biznik members. That's right - collaboration got it done in just 5 days!

A mere 2 weeks later, the event itself took place. Presenting businesses were:

Mark Turner, Photographer - Discounted price on new professional headshot photo, created on site at the event
Cindi Pree, Virtual Business Partner - 25% discount on your choice of makeover: freshen up brochure or web copy or organize your virtual self
Jim Carney, Gateway Centre - Discount for events held at the facility in February
Ronna Russell, Style Consultant - free Quick Color Consultation
Lori Richardson, Business and Social Media Consultant - Social media networking: messages, adding value, and differentiating your business
Tom Ransom, Marketing Geek and WordPress Expert - Social media networking: free at-event set up of blog, Twitter account, or Facebook fan page plus a 10-step action plan to follow on return to your office
Ericka Bakkom, Graphic Designer - New Customers FREE Complimentary Consultation & 50% OFF all Branding/Logo Design Services
Larry Raney, owner of Print & Copy Factory - Free review of printed marketing materials and how to reinforce printed message electronically

The presenters at the event simply agreed to participate with a special promotional offer and arrived early enough to set up a display table. They didn't need to do any other organizing or promoting. By having multiple businesses collaborating on a common theme, the event attracted more attendees - who then had an opportunity to explore services they might not have otherwise considered! That's a winning situation for everyone! Presenters also discovered ways they could join together to offer workshops and services to create more opportunity to grow their businesses through collaboration. All of these benefits, with less work, using the collaboration mindset!

Attendees were able to one-stop-shop many of the things that are on the minds of entrepreneurs most of the time, but especially when things are quieter. That's typically the case at the beginning of the year, even in a booming economy. It's the time when we think about improving our business in some way. This event meant that by attending one event business owners could find new ideas for the things they knew they wanted to improve…and most likely inspiration in ways they hadn't even considered! That's definitely a Win for all our busy schedules!

On top of all of that, everyone had the opportunity to meet and network with lots of amazing business owners and have a great time! Oh, and there were snacks and drinks to help keep the energy going. Collaboration can take many forms, and isn't just limited to Biznik or any other single networking organization.

It's primarily a mindset shift…just be open to the possibilities and look for the Win! Soon, collaboration will be a way of thinking, not just the current buzz!

Learn more about the author, Cindi Pree.

Posted by Ernie Coslick, Ferndale, Washington | Jan 28, 2010

It was a great event, I had the oppertunity as a guest to introduce myself to many new prospective clients as well as meet several local business owners whose main goal is to help my business succeed. Amazing that it was that well planned in such a short time.
Posted by Greg Marshall, Bellingham, Washington | Jan 28, 2010

Great example of how working together can produce some great business events. Wish I could have been part of it!
Posted by Cindi Pree, Bellingham, Washington | Jan 28, 2010

Reposted from Jenny Davidow, with her permission: As your article so well illustrates, collaboration is a win-win connection. Thank you for helping us to shift to a model that can help us all.
Posted by Cindi Pree, Bellingham, Washington | Jan 28, 2010

Thanks, Ernie, it was great meeting you yesterday! Greg, we'll expect to see you next year during makeover January!
Posted by Diane Padys, Bellingham, Washington | Jan 29, 2010

The event was certainly a success. I enjoyed the presentations and everyone who participated. Learning is great fun. We have such diversified businesses. I look forward to the next event. Diane Padys Photography
Posted by Cindi Pree, Bellingham, Washington | Jan 29, 2010

Reposted from Patty Guarino, with her permission: I thought the article showed how sometimes it takes the village to raise the child. A truly win win situation. As business owners we need to enlist the help of others to work toward a common goal. Well done Cindi! Thanks for encouraging the idea of collaboration because none of us knows it all or has the time to figure out something out of our scope of practice. You're great!
Posted by Lynne Brisdon, Bellingham, Washington | Jan 30, 2010

Wonderful article, great event! Thank you for recapping how collaboration made this all possible. We truly can do more together. I really enjoyed the event and learned about resources that will be very helpful for my business.
Posted by Ericka Bakkom, Bellingham, Washington | Jan 31, 2010

I was honored and privileged to be a part of this terrific event! Great article Cindi ... I look forward to collaborating with you in the future on more opportunities like this!
Posted by Diane Bridgwater, Bothell, Washington | Feb 01, 2010

Great job, Cindi! Loved the article and the whole idea behind the article. As entrepreneurs, we can not do it all ourselves and I love that you all got together to put on, what sounds like, a great event!
Posted by Jack McCallum, Bellingham, Washington | Feb 05, 2010

Well written, Cindi. Collaboration can do amazing things for people, their spirit, their creativity, and their business.
Posted by Kelly Pederson, Bellingham, Washington | Feb 11, 2010

It took me long enough to get to reading your article Cindi, but I'm glad I did. Not only does it sound like a great recap of the event, but it sounds like it was a great event! This is a perfect example of why I like biznik. I'm sure I could offer some assistance to businesses with New Year's resolutions about cleaning up their accounting and recordkeeping. I'll work on it for next year, though January is MY busiest month of the year!
Posted by Daimon Sweeney, Bellingham, Washington | Feb 22, 2010

Cindi,

That's a great outline of an effective collaborative event with wins all around. Congratulations.
Posted by Elvis Arias, Jersey City, New Jersey | Nov 07, 2010

good stuff, passing it along to my advertising network