Clearing the Skies for Meaningful Collaboration: The Launch of Skating Panda’s 2024 Collaboration Barometer
“Everybody’s convening… I’m over-convened. You need to see results. You need to hold people accountable.”
— Senior Sustainability Leader
In the world of sustainability, the call for collaboration has never been louder. Yet, for many leaders across industries, the reality of collaboration falls short of its promise. The frustrations of being ‘over-convened and under-delivered’ are shared widely, and despite the recognised benefits of collaboration, businesses often find themselves trapped in competitive mindsets, battling the same challenges in isolation.
At Skating Panda, we believe that meaningful collaboration is not only essential for sustainability but also a strategic business advantage. Over the last 12 months, we’ve been speaking with sustainability leaders from banking, construction, fashion, foodservice, mining, and more to uncover the true state of collaboration within industries. The result of these conversations is the inaugural Skating Panda Collaboration Barometer, designed to help businesses clear the fog and navigate the complex landscape of industry collaboration.
The State of Collaboration: What’s Holding Us Back?
Our research revealed a paradox: while the appetite for collaboration is immense, significant barriers still prevent businesses from joining forces effectively. Competitive mindsets, lack of trust, and the overwhelming number of climate convening efforts have clouded the path to meaningful, impactful collaboration. As one sustainability leader put it, “Ten years ago, we were having exactly the same conversation.”
This cycle of convening without action not only frustrates leaders but also hinders progress on the systemic issues that require urgent attention. The climate crisis, supply chain disruptions, and the push for a low-carbon economy all demand collaborative efforts that go beyond superficial partnerships. But with so many initiatives and platforms, some leaders feel ‘drowned in partnerships’ that fail to deliver the tangible results needed to drive real change.
Why Collaboration is a Strategic Business Advantage
Despite these challenges, the benefits of collaboration are clear and substantial. Sharing resources and expertise can enhance efficiency, save costs, and drive significant impact. When done in the right way, collaboration can streamline supply chains, improve regulations, foster innovation, and ultimately, position businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
As one CEO we spoke to noted, ‘[Through collaboration] you’re creating more than any of you could alone.’ The ability to pool resources, knowledge, and influence allows businesses to tackle complex, systemic problems that no single entity could fully address.
However, the key to unlocking these benefits lies in shifting the focus from more collaboration to better collaboration. This is where the Skating Panda Collaboration Barometer comes in.
Introducing the 2024 Skating Panda Collaboration Barometer: A Toolkit for Success
The Skating Panda Collaboration Barometer is packed with insights from business leaders across an array of industries. We’ve also designed a practical toolkit to help businesses navigate the complexities of collaboration. It addresses the key barriers identified by business leaders and offers a step-by-step guide to building collaborations that are both meaningful and productive.
The toolkit breaks down the process of collaboration into three key stages, providing actionable insights and strategies for each:
- Identifying Strategic Opportunities: Understanding where and how collaboration can add the most value.
- Building Trust and Alignment: Creating a foundation of trust and shared goals that align with your business objectives.
- Delivering Impact: Ensuring that collaboration leads to tangible, measurable outcomes.
By following this framework, businesses can move beyond the cycle of endless meetings and discussions, and start driving the results that matter.
The Time to Act is Now
As the climate emergency continues to escalate, the need for strategic and impactful collaboration has never been more urgent. Businesses can no longer afford to operate in silos. The transition to a low-carbon economy and the fight against climate change require a collective effort, and the time to act is now.
The Skating Panda Collaboration Barometer 2024 provides the insights and tools needed to break down the barriers to collaboration and harness its full potential. Whether you’re a sustainability practitioner, CEO, or part of a team overseeing your company’s sustainability efforts, this report will help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of collaboration in today’s complex business environment.
Don’t let the cloud of competition overshadow your sustainability efforts. Download the full Skating Panda Collaboration Barometer today, test the toolkit, and start transforming the way your business collaborates. Together, we can clear the skies and pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Download the 2024 Collaboration Barometer here.