Worksheet1 Are you ready to cluster?
Are you ready to cluster? |1.5
Worksheet 2 (Forming The Cluster) sets out some of the structural factors that limit the type of organisation that is likely to be able to participate in a cluster. In short, the organisations most likely to be able to make an effective commitment to the project are those that are:
- small enough that they can commit their Chief Executive’s time to taking part in the work of the cluster’s Core Group;
- not so small that the Chief Executive is likely to find attendance difficult.
Clustering also requires that both the individuals and the organisations taking part have the right mindset and competences. Before taking part in a cluster project, check through the checklist below.
Mindset
- A predisposition to believe that something worthwhile will come of collaboration, and the willingness to invest time in the process without the certainty at the outset that there will be a return;
- An ability to give and take, and a belief that – as long as your organisation is deriving sufficient benefit from the project to justify your investment, it doesn’t matter if another, less well-resourced organisation is deriving comparatively more;
- An acceptance that this predisposition to generosity is necessarily bounded, an understanding of where the limits are, and an ability to be honest about this with your colleagues.
Leadership
- The confidence and ability to make compromises, to commit your organisation to a course of action, and to deliver what you have committed to;
- The ability to ensure that collaboration is embedded in the culture of your organisation;
- A willingness to take a share in ensuring that the cluster’s workplan is resourced and driven through;
- The ability to recognise and accept leadership in others.
Other competences
- The capacity to receive – ensuring that your organisation follows things through, and that potential benefits which the cluster has worked hard to deliver don’t end up being unused;
- The ability to recognise others who are up for collaboration – and those who aren’t!
The last point is crucial – collaborations only work if there is at least a core of individuals who are prepared to commit and contribute to a team effort. If you think this isn’t the case with your prospective partners – or if you score consistently low on the above questions yourself – you should question seriously whether collaboration is the right approach for you and your organisation.