SME's and Mindset for Collaboration

Digital Linkagesat

The Institute of Collaborative WorkingWarwick Business School

24th June 2104

Penny Power OBE

How can Digital Channels support Collaboration, communication and connectivity

My story

Who am I?• I am not academic• I am a small business, striving, adapting, growing• I need to collaborate• I need to understand what my skills are• I need to understand (and not fear) my

weaknesses• I need to be able to find the skills my clients need• I need to have a wide, diverse and supportive

network

I need to be someone that others are happy to be associated with

• I need to have a brand• I need to have a VERY clear brand• I need to attract people• I need to show my values as a person• I need to be – Known– Liked– Followed

My background“I Built an online community”

• 1998 – Ecademy– 4 years before LinkedIn– 6 years before FaceBook– 8 years before twitter

• Pioneering is not easy• You have to be instinctive and true to your values• Culture was critical

– Ethics– Shared Values– Allowed vulnerabilities– Allowed social and business– Encouraged reciprocity

Help others build their 3-way brand

Personal Brand – who I am

Service BrandWhy we do it

Business Brand- What we do

How can Digital Channels support and encourage Collaboration

• Rewarding people –shares, likes and Klout• Appreciating value of Social Capital• The good rise to the top• Mindset and Culture• Tool and How to come second• Too much money spent on building infrastructure• No money spent on engagement and LOVE

How do you find new opportunities together

You seek to find the issues that need healing and those that care about those people

Mindset and motivation

• If people are NOT motivated they will never move to this new “country”

• Then….. they need to learn how those people share, chat, discuss, support and love one another

• They need to get on the plane and fly to the country and sit in the Café’s