CAREER PURSUIT 2021

EXPERT ADVICE - SELF-EMPLOYMENT 41 It should also specifically state that all the involved parties give their consent to work together with a clear outcome to accomplish. You may wish to consider other things, such as how you will work together, how to divide the tasks and perceived benefits, and any obligations and primary responsibilities of each person or business. You may be able to find support or a template for the agreement in places like the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Rocket Lawyer, or PeoplePerHour, to name a few. Top tip − keep the lines of communication open when setting boundaries. Now you have some knowledge of what collaboration is and how to execute it, here’s a brief overview of the tools you can utilise to find people you may want to work with. Networking is the best tool. • Facebook groups that suit you and your business. Some groups have membership requirements and range from free to a paid monthly subscription. • Instagram. This can be a little harder than Facebook groups, as you will need to follow accounts and contact them directly. You can work with influencers here. • Find local groups for in-person networking. Again, this ranges from free to monthly or annual memberships. You could look at the FSB, X-Forces, or BNI. • Virtual networking. Some that I can recommend are Veteran Owned UK, The Milspo Business Network, X-Forces, and the Military Coworking Network. • Coworking. A different form of collaborative working. This is thought of as a space to work away from home. A good place to start is to look for a military coworking hub near you. There are also civilian hot desks and open offices; although this is working in the same space as someone else, it may present opportunities to form relationships that result in collaborations. • Clubhouse. An audio-only social media app that connects people globally, facilitating open conversations that may lead to collaboration. An ambassadorship is another form of collaboration. Similar to working with an influencer, it is often born from using a service or product and promoting it as a volunteer or in exchange for products or services. Word of mouth is free and comes from a ‘like, know, and trust’ relationship. Please be sure to carry out due diligence and are happy with the credibility of anyone you chose to work with. Remember, what has worked for one person does not mean that it will work for someone else. Just because someone is part of a network does not mean that they are deemed safe to collaborate with. Finally, be curious, not judgemental. Collaboration is an important skill to learn in business and one that can positively impact all parties involved. Happy collaborating − however that may look for you. Carrie Moss − Military Matchmaker Website: www.militarymatchmaker.co.uk Facebook: @Militarymatchmaker Instagram: @militarymatchmaker Twitter: @militarymatchuk “Collaboration: The action of working with someone to produce something.” Definition from the Oxford English Dictionary