Cooperation and the Principle of Cooperation – Becoming Self-Employed Part 17

The principle of cooperation is clear, it is always a win-win situation. Through a precise formulation of the goals, later successes can be accurately evaluated. If both sides benefit, the cooperation has worked well. The big advantage, as described above, is that the costs of cooperation are relatively low, since companies use existing structures, e.g. in marketing or advertising. We have already addressed the added value of cooperation with best-practice examples in terms of “discounts” and “customer care”.

Cooperations: Goals and tasks

It is important that all goals and tasks are clearly defined in advance in any cooperation. This is because it is difficult to implement and make changes in the ongoing cooperation. So anyone who has already negotiated a minus deal in advance will not be able to correct it afterwards. If you distribute 10,000 discount coupons of a cooperation partner in your packages, but he or she only mentions you in the newsletter in return, both actions are not equal, the cooperation principle is broken.

The cooperation between two companies can, however, go even further. For example with the symbiosis of two brands. The classic chocolate, peppered with a brand of biscuit, the ice cream, coated with a certain type of chocolate, the modern, electrically driven delivery service and the car brand, the car rental and the flight provider or even car sharing. Both sides profit from each other, not only through advertising, but also through discounted conditions and positive image transfer. The car manufacturer has its new models constantly in the street scene, the car sharing provider has high-quality vehicles and good purchasing conditions. A win-win situation for both sides.

Cooperation Principle in Companies

Have you already planned cooperation partners or cooperation models?

If so, here is the place for it in your business plan.

• Both sides benefit
• Precise formulation of goals
• Expectations and objectives
• Actions, Dates, Costs
• Distribution of tasks and competences
• Cost and earnings distribution
• Same rights and obligations for all partners
• Willingness to compromise
• Relative / Equal commitment
• Employees must know goals and support

Opportunities and Risks

Congratulations, you’ve done it all! You know your business idea inside out, you have validated it against various data, customers, competitors, market and price. You know your marketing concept but also your sales strategy. You know every single cost center and of course the entire personnel planning. Now you close your business plan with the big question, what are the biggest opportunities and risks for your company? No more, no less. Here you have to deliver a realistic self-assessment. Not only full of praise for your business idea, risks also play a role here and have to be included in the concept accordingly. Here you show banks and investors for the last time what they might get involved with.

1. What are the three biggest opportunities that could positively influence the further development of your company.
2. What are the three most important problems that could hinder a positive development of your business?

Everything described, everything explained. Now comes your financial planning.

Guideline: Setting up your own business & business plan

You want to start your own business as a real estate agent or with another business idea? We support you with tips on your business plan and concept. Whether self-employed full-time or part-time self-employed: If you want to set up your own company, you have to think about a lot, in advance and in the operative business. From the right idea to health insurance – what needs to be considered if you want to become self-employed?

There is no training or further education for entrepreneurs. Managing director is you or not. Your own ambition is always important, because this is the only way to improve, every day.

The topics at a glance: