Are We Ready to Collaborate? The Collaboration Handbook: Creating, Sustaining and Enjoying the Journey

The Conundrum We are a competent organization providing important services and products. Other organizations also provide services and products to our consumers. Consumers do not always get good service. Copyright Collaboration Handbook Fieldstone Alliance

We can achieve results that organizations are more likely to achieve together than alone. We must stop trying to solve problems we can’t solve alone. We can work to change the system of interlocking services, products, and conditions. Copyright Collaboration Handbook Fieldstone Alliance

Collaboration is a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more organizations to achieve results they are more likely to achieve together than alone. Copyright Collaboration Handbook Fieldstone Alliance

Partner organizations believe they are interdependent. Partners agree that each organization has a unique role to play to address a problem. Collaboration includes: Commitment to mutual relationships and goals; a jointly developed structure and shared responsibility; and sharing of resources and rewards. Copyright Collaboration Handbook Fieldstone Alliance

Partners focus on the way in which the current system can be improved by changing individual organizations. Copyright Collaboration Handbook Fieldstone Alliance

WIIFM What’s in it for me - for our organization? Self-interest is okay: know what returns you expect on this investment. Copyright Collaboration Handbook Fieldstone Alliance

Important questions for Boards to discuss Are we ready to set out on a journey that may take some time? Are we ready to travel down both lanes of the road: work and relationship building? Are the key members of the system on the bus with us? Do we have a history of coordinating with these other organizations? Copyright Collaboration Handbook Fieldstone Alliance