How To Work Collaboratively

Our guide to creating beneficial relationships with other businesses.

- Ali Heath

With more than five million small businesses in the UK, collaboration can prove highly effective, as Helen Bakunowicz, owner of The Bakemonger, has shown. By joining forces with like-minded creatives, businesses can harness the power of the collective, share ideas with similar people and use each other’s business platforms to facilitate growth.

Create complementary collaborations that can provide increased revenue opportunities for both parties. Helen has worked with Bruton-based lifestyle store Caro Somerset as its in-house baker, which has given both great opportunities.

Raise awareness among a larger target audience through pop-up collaborations. The monthly pop-up food market in Frome has been a great tool for Helen to take her wares to a regular audience and to test the water with new ideas. Design companies, such as Ben Pentreath, offer a pop-up shop space throughout the year, as do department stores, local shops and art galleries. Be bold and make approaches.