DENVER (7/16/15)--Credit unions around the world use collaboration to find common ground and share resources to explore new or more cost-efficient ways to offer members exceptional service and experience.
At a Wednesday breakout session at CUNA’s America’s Credit Union Conference and the World Credit Union Conference, international experts on the topic shared information on what an exceptional business practice collaboration can be, but also how challenging it can be to experience the full value it offers.
The panel was moderated by Manfred Dasenbrock, a member of World Council of Credit Unions' board of directors, who represents the Brazilian credit union movement as a delegate from Confederação Interestadual das Cooperativas Ligadas ao SICREDI (SICREDI).
Panelists were:
The presentations by the diverse panel of experts underscored an observation made frequently during this international conference: the attendees, who hail from all over the world, have 80% in common, and only 20% in differences.
As moderator Dasenbrock put it, “Our movement is built on cooperation and collaboration.”
Some of the key observations offered by Leonard about collaborating included advice to:
CUSO expert Karnes noted that collaboration takes integrity and requires an individual to override any instinct of self-interest to serve a greater goal. In a collaborative effort, he said, it is key to remember that parties are not subsidizing each other, they are moving forward together “shoulder to shoulder.” And collaborative partners must all be considered equals even if they cannot all contribute equally.
Guatemala’s Calderón described collaboration as a “joint activity with the goal of achieving a common objective. This is fundamental because everyone has inherent in their nature the principal of cooperation.”
And Canada’s Leonard shared with participants his 11 keys to collaborative success in shared services. They are:
For more highlights from the conference, click here.