The current business environment, as canny SME founders would know, is increasingly uncertain and volatile. Complex, twenty-four/seven, a digital hive of data, numbers, and information, it's a case of whatever the client wants (and they may be internal or external), whether it is a product or a concept, it can be delivered at the snap of a virtual finger. Innovation and invention across all industries and sectors is continuous, creative and phenomenally fast.
There are fantastic opportunities for those SMEs who have recognised the inherent value in collaborative thinking at a commercial level - what is being called the 'We space' - to get the jump on the bottom line. Working together to share ideas, concepts, skills, intellectual property, even collaborating cross-corporations is an invaluable chance for expansion and revenue increase.
Thinking fast, being proactive, challenge and disrupting the norm, and above all connecting with, contributing to and influencing others, will all lead to bigger business capabilities.
The question is how?
- Question your status quo: what is the structure of your team? Are you taking on too many 'big' roles yourself? Split your own role so that others are able to show their strengths. This will mean faster expansion as you have a 'divide and conquer' ability.
The backbone of the 'We' space for leaders and businesses is that it is commercial collaboration. For SMEs in particular, it's important to think about the 'We' space as commercial evolution as opposed to revolution. SMEs are incredibly fortunate in many ways in that inherently they hold a unique value proposition. The possibilities can be endless in terms of potential. Using the 'We' space of commercial collaboration adds the stability to grow safely - and with the engagement and involvement of the whole business.