AI-assisted report of Sinead Hewson’s workshop on The value of coopetition for sustainable business growth
The workshop looked at the concept of ‘coopetition’ among WBII members, discussing its benefits, challenges and potential collaboration opportunities, with suggested actions for participants to connect and explore partnerships.
Sinead started with an introduction to the concept of coopetition which she defined as cooperation between competitors. She gave some examples of successful coopetition initiatives in various industries, such as the food sector in Dublin.
This was followed by a lively discussion between those present in which they shared concrete ideas on how they could potentially work together in 2025. The discussion also focused on the challenges of coopetition including:
- Overcoming initial hesitancy and building trust
- Valuing and promoting one’s skills and expertise
- Managing time and workload when collaborating
Participants also looked at solution to these challenges, discussing ways to make coopetition work for them. Suggestions included setting clear ground rules and boundaries, pacing and setting realistic expectations, developing a back-up plan or alternatives should technical difficulties arise. Most importantly, the participants expressed the importance of self-confidence and assertiveness in valuing one’s skills and abilities.
The workshop finished with an exploration of actions that could be implemented immediately. These included:
- Connecting with potential competitors or complementary businesses
- Clarifying your approach and goals for coopetition
- Exploring specific collaboration opportunities, such as content creation, referrals or sharing resources
- Reflecting on the concept of coopetition and its potential impact on your business
- Participating in a future brainstorming sessions organised by Sinead
The participants agreed that it was a very useful workshop and are already looking for coopetition opportunities with other WBII members and their wider network.