Healthy competition coupled with professional pride, helps us all to improve our offerings.

Those companies that choose not to engage with their competitors will soon find themselves with outdated business models.

Col not Comp rules and so does ‘Pay It Forward’ helping newbies in your wake also rocks :o)

Our ethos is “Collaboration not competition” and it is one we all hold dear. If only other members of the same industry thought the same, they would experience the same benefits that we have. Charlotte has given a great example above.

Let’s keep collaborating not competing and we will all grow our business(es) exponentially!

I could not run my business without the help and support of other VA’s. Its that help and support that helped me to achieve Runner Up in Oustanding VA of the Year this month at the VA Conference.

I collaborate with my competitors on a daily basis, we give each other help and advice, I have gained work in this way and I have also outsourced work this way. It works fantastically. To give you an example, I had an enquiry from somebody who required somebody to go to a hotel and take notes of an important meeting. Now this is not something I do, or have any intention of doing, but rather than saying no I can’t help you, I knew exactly who to recommend and I am pleased to say after a chat between her and the potential client they are now working together.

Collaboration is definatley the way forward.

However, it can be argued that by sharing the workload you reduce your share of the benefits.

Equally, by working together in a collaborative manner you become greater than the sum of the parts and then can go for projects that might otherwise be beyond you.

I believe hugely in working with other you have synergy with, to benefit from each others strengths. To not be afraid of losing an opportunity, but rather gaining more and sometimes what you gain, isn’t just profit today, but support and experience to aid you tomorrow.

Plus helping others can be so rewarding, even if there is no personal gain. Though if you are a helpful person, this can generate opportunity anyway, but sometimes just knowing you’ve help others is reward enough and many others do the same.

I started following you on twitter yesterday and am very glad I did.

Again very good article.

Best Regards