When you’re learning about business or throughout your eduction, there is a lot of emphasis on being number one, the best, top of the class. This is all well and good and may well land you that respectable scholarship, graduate programme or first job. However, we can all benefit from looking beyond ourselves and begin to collaborate to make the world a better place. We can all learn to choose collaboration over competition for a better Planet. Here are a few fabulous examples of why working together can lead to positive change for individuals, business and ultimately the Planet…
Collaboration Over Competition
Why Collaborate?
When your team are collaborating with each other on a project or with an external partner, you’ll feel a greater sense of togetherness and it won’t pose as much of a problem should one employee be out sick as it would if they were the only person working on a particular thing. When all of your staff are fully briefed on every aspect of the business, you can be far more flexible based on day to day needs and that can save you time and money.
Boost Wellness
According to the Harvard Business Review, one of the best ways to increase workplace wellness is to foster a values-based culture that is based upon collaboration and professional conduct. When employees are allowed to feel like individuals, but able to work together, interacting positively with each other, they feel happier, more valued and more likely to stick around, which is good news for them and for business.
Creative Ideas
When people collaborate, they come up with more ideas it really is that simple. They bounce off each other and discuss ideas until they hit upon solutions that they would never have found on their own. They can then use tools like digital asset management software to work on their ideas together in a cohesive manner, ensuring that your brand stays on-point. This is one of the very best things about collaboration in the business world. There have been several creative collaborations between fashion companies and non-profit organisations that are a great example of how we can all unite to help the Planet.
Planet-Friendly Collaborations
Madewell x Surfrider Foundation
Clothing brand Madewell teamed up with Surfrider Foundation who’s mission is to protect beaches and coastlines around the world. Inspired by the ethos of Surfrider’s mantra “long live the beach,” Madewell have created a five-piece collection of limited-edition pieces that include tees made from 100% recycled cotton, sunglasses, and a tote bag.
PacSun x ME to WE
Clothing brand PacSun’s collaboration with ME to WE, helps change the life of a child or family in a developing community overseas. The sales of each product go towards five areas of impact: education, healthcare, food, financial tools, and clean water. This partnership has already contributed to the employment of 1,700 women, provided 7 million gallons of clean water and have made major impacts including providing education and medical services. Some of the products from PacSun also come with a special code, with which individuals can track their impact, watching how ME to WE is delivering essential resources to communities around the world. Their aim is to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change.
Hopefully you enjoyed reading why we should all choose collaboration over competition more often. Rethinking the way we do things is paramount for tackling the Climate Crisis. Collaboration is a great place to begin for our individual wellbeing, team moral, business and of course the Planet.
Christine
