Joint business planning

Two or more organisations might arrange to come together to look at their strategic planning and the opportunities to work in close collaboration where possible, whilst guarding the individual natures of each organisation. Identifying areas of specific interest and creating a governance structure with flexibility and balanced input from members is key. Benefits include:

• planning for long term impact on shared aims and objectives
• sharing information and practice (e.g through cross partner working groups)
• competitive advantage and the ability to quickly recognise duplications and gaps

Case studies

1. The Peepul Centre - watch a film about this community organisation in Leicester and the partnership they've formed with the LHA ASRA Housing Group.
2. Choose Action Alliance - Joining forces with like-minded organisations for a stronger policy voice and peer support
3. The Community Alliance - Joining together to enable effective support for community anchors

Resources

• Working together to achieve your mission, NCVO Collaborative Working Unit, June 2006