In an era where the pace of innovation is rapidly accelerating, founders and corporate leaders often face the dilemma of building an in-house team versus partnering with external companies. The fear that these partners may not fully grasp their vision or execute an effective product strategy is common. However, the future of modern organizations lies in leveraging specialized knowledge and embracing the quantum leap in technology and management practices. The way you integrate software agency into your organization is critical for your project success. It’s all about trust, but how to build an environment that fosters trust from the very early stages of getting into cooperation?
Every company has its unique culture and working principles. When engaging with an external partner, it is crucial to ensure that these principles align. Discussing and agreeing upon work ethics and culture beforehand sets a foundation for a harmonious and productive partnership. Open this discussion very early, reflect what is your culture and what you value and ask the partner for the same. Document it and keep it as a reference to evaluate the environment that you co-create.
Clear communication of the problem statement and success metrics is vital. Employing a 'mission command' approach, where the external partner is given a clear objective within defined constraints, fosters autonomy and encourages innovative solutions. Regular progress reports and prompt communication of obstacles are essential for a successful collaboration. In practise, many agencies fallback to reporting by timesheets on deliverables. That’s a relict of ‘Command & Control’ way of working that many companies still use. Let the software agency to report the progress towards common goal, not the time spend on building things.
A transparent approach, often referred to as 'Getting Naked' in business, can build a strong foundation of trust. Allowing access to your business environment might seem risky, but in the times where information is cheap, it’s important to remember that while ideas are plentiful, successful execution is rare and more valuable. Fears of idea theft are often unfounded and can hinder the collaborative process. Share the access to your environment and documentation to allow the team to get into the speed as fast as possible by having the same context as you have.
Finally, one key aspect of this collaboration is robust documentation. External partners, especially in a remote working environment, can aid significantly in maintaining comprehensive records of processes and decisions. Utilizing tools like Notion, which our company is fan of, enhances transparency and ensures that both parties are on the same page. Whenever a new insight changes the approach we can revert and back to our original thinking and ensure that every member of the team is one the same page.
Define a place that will be a reference point for documentation for both sides.
A critical component of any successful collaboration, especially with external partners, is the establishment of effective communication channels. It is essential to document ahead not only how but also where communication will occur to ensure seamless information flow. This involves selecting appropriate platforms for different types of communication, be it strategic discussions, project updates, or troubleshooting. For instance, using Slack for quick queries, Zoom for in-depth meetings, and a platform like Trello or Asana for tracking project progress can streamline communication. Defining these channels from the beginning ensures that everyone involved knows exactly where and how to communicate, reducing misunderstandings and increasing efficiency. By prioritizing clear and structured communication, leaders can significantly enhance the synergy between their team and external partners, ensuring that all parties are consistently aligned with the project's objectives and progress.
Consider this technological integration not as a hurdle but as an opportunity to lead in innovation. By choosing the right external partners, emphasizing effective communication, and establishing clear goals and principles, they can not only keep up with the competition but also lead the charge in innovation. Remember, the agency should have more experience in integrating into your existing structures and they should lead the way out to make it effective. Share your idea with us if you have a critical project and would like to see how we at Appunite collaborate on mission documents working in those areas. See how we are working as an Empowered Team