PowerPoint presentation by Randi Vega for GBCA's "Collaborating Across the Comfort Zone" discussion. June 20, 2012

1. Collaboration
A Tool for the 21st Century

2. What is Collaboration?
• What is your definition?
• Is it cooperation?
• Is it a merger or an alliance?

3. • Collaboration is working together to
achieve a goal. It is a process where two
or more people or organizations work
together to realize shared vision. This is
more than the intersection of common
goals seen in co-operative ventures, but
a deep, collective, determination to
reach an identical objective.

4. Collaboration/Cooperation?
• What’s the difference?
• Cooperation = working together so both of
our needs get served.
• Collaboration = working together to create a
higher outcome together.

5. Merger/Alliance?
• Merger = a legal joining of two organizations
into one organization
• Alliance = a formal agreement between two or
more organizations to cooperate for specific
purposes.

6. Why Collaborate?
• Programmatic reasons
• Financial reasons
• Resource sharing
• Extend reach of both orgs

7. Old Paradigm/”Old School” Thinking
• Competition
– Guarded communication
– “Keep What’s Known a Secret”
– Meet Behind Closed Doors
– Good Ol’ Boys Club/Exclusivity
– Zero Sum Philosophy
– Somebody Wins/Somebody Loses
– Focus on internal growth

8. New Paradigm/New Thinking
• Collaboration
– Open Dialogue
– Discover What’s Not Known
– Always an Empty Chair
– Networked Relationships/Inclusiveness
– Win/Win Philosophy
– Win by Helping Others Win
– Focus on growth in field

9. Collaboration vs. Competition
• Collaboration creates teams of teams.
• Competition creates lines and sides.
• Collaboration unifies individuals around a
common, higher goal.
• Competition divides individuals, centering them
around lower goals and agendas.

10. • Collaboration stimulates growth.
• Competition stunts growth.
Win/Win vs. Win/Lose

11. Team Work Models

12. Collaboration Cycle
Connect Contract
Collaboration creates new
possibilities and opportunities
which wouldn’t otherwise exist
Close Collaborate

13. Connect
• Discussions, conversations, meetings =
developing a relationship. This is the time to ask
those important questions.
• Communication on various levels important –
board level, artistic staff, management staff.
• Get to know performance styles, working styles,
leadership styles.
• Time invested at this level pays off in the end
with an informed decision based on facts, as well
as feelings.

14. Contract
• Put it in writing – all of it.
• Who is responsible for what, when, where , &
how.
• Be specific about the money matters – that’s
often where things break down.
• Think out your plan in detail.
• Breaking the plan into stages is a good
strategy. It will give you the opportunity to
make adjustments along the way.

15. Collaborate
• Proceed according to plan, but be ready to make
adjustments (together) as conditions change.
• Communicate, communicate, communicate -
openly and honestly!
• Be prepared for the give and take.
• Listen to your collaborator and expect to be
listened to.
• Manage your emotions. Learn to apologize.
• Understand that it’s in the difficult moments that
real progress can be made.

16. Close
• Acknowledge when the collaboration ends.
• Evaluate the process.
• Celebrate achievements.
• Learn from mistakes. What would you do
differently next time?
• Share your experiences, positive and negative.
Allow others to learn from your experiences.

17. What Makes A Collaboration
Successful?
• Name some essential elements of a successful
collaboration.

18. Essential components of a
successful collaboration.
• Trust – open communication
• Common goals – bigger than either participant
• Right people leading the effort
• Strong common artistic vision –
• Honest evaluation of values, strengths, assets
• Agreement on core strategies
• Realistic work plan - Agreement on who will be
responsible for what/when
• Inclusive rather than exclusive

19. Issues that may be roadblocks
• Ideology – differing values & beliefs
• Leadership – need the right person leading the effort
• Power – imbalances need to be addressed/power must
be shared
• History – old unfinished business can end a
relationship
• Competition – not enough to have a funder require
• Resources – Critical, there may not be ample resources
to achieve ends
• Self interest – no hidden goals

20. Conflict
• Expect it and it’s not necessarily a bad thing!
• Develop effective strategies for dealing with it
• Communication, open dialogue and honesty
build TRUST which is the key to conflict
resolution.

21. Evaluation
• Evaluation should be a positive experience.
• It’s an opportunity to learn what worked and
what didn’t work.
• Evaluation gives you the chance to improve
the work.

22. Celebration/Recognition
• Celebration allows you to recognize the
people who worked together and honor their
achievements.
• It invites new people in who can renew the
energy.
• It marks the end of the cycle.

23. Collaboration Tales
• What has been your experience with
collaboration?
• What would a collaboration between two dance
companies look like?