Virtual B2B Collaboration

3 Tips for Virtual B2B Collaboration

The development of online platforms for collaboration has provided a tremendous opportunity for businesses to build profitable networks in cost effective ways. Virtual collaboration can offer a notable savings in both time and money for organizations. One challenge is agreeing on a set of communications tools, of which there are many. WinWinUSA solves this by providing a Virtual Conference room for their members who have access to the same chat, screen share, file share, video feed and whiteboard tools, thus solving the challenge of having to download additional software.

However with this novel method of interaction, comes a new set of measures that need to be taken care of in order to benefit the business relations. The online business to business conferring needs a mindset that follows the path towards its goals in a systematic manner. For businesses engaging in such collaborations, we advise to:

1. Set Correct Expectations
To begin a process of dealings, there has to be a prepared plan to reach the desired goal. One has to acknowledge that the other party also has to take care of its interests and therefore they should remain cautious as not to engage in such behavior that can cause or intend to cause harm to the other’s aims. This process starts with the company keeping a set of correct expectations that are beneficial to its objectives and, on the other hand, also not detrimental to the others policies. Setting an incorrect expectation leads us to two possible scenarios. Both lead to damaging the current collaboration and also causing harm to the business’s future interactions be met with a negative outlook.

If the expectations of the company are too low, then there would be less effort in negotiations from its side. This would cause the other side to have an upper hand during the collaboration and would ultimately result in causing harm to the company’s goals. On the other hand, if the business sets its expectations too high then there will be a high risk of causing harm to the other side’s targets which can harm the whole collaboration process as the partner would not be interested in having an unfavorable relationship.

2. Be Mindful of Building Trust
When a business makes an agreement with a client, it has to be sure that should not just sell its services but also make a long lasting relationship so that the future interactions with the client are profitable for the company. The same theory applies in B2B collaborations, but with a more meticulous nature.

The business dealings are very closely monitored, sometimes with whole departments just set up for this specific purpose. Hence any negligence from either side is noted and has effect on future contracts. Therefore the businesses should remain cautious that the processes go as smoothly as possible so that the association remains trusted and profitable to both sides.

3. End a Collaboration Session with a Summary of Understanding
In addition to the idea that the famous saying of “first impression is the last impression” develops, it’s also true that the last impression is just as important. The culmination of a collaboration session should be on the note that is accepted by both sides and which leads towards building of mutual trust. A summary of understanding provides such a mode of obtaining mutual acceptance which results in a healthier and much more productive relationship in future.