collaboration in space

Some say that a spider’s silk is one of the strongest materials known to humankind. Diamonds are another amazingly strong material. I wonder if perhaps one of the strongest intangible materials might be collaboration. Judging by the current Russo-American collaboration in space, i.e. the International Space Station (ISS), it seems that despite a very serious social and economic stand-off, collaboration between the two space powers remains unaffected. Is there a lesson here? Judge for yourselves. I am not at all surprised to see that a collaborative influence can be so powerful. Politics aside, it does seem like collaboration is penetrating the public psyche slowly but surely. This week’s selection of recommended reading is as diverse as it gets, which I hope will be sufficiently enticing to learn more about collaboration and apply some of its insights into day to day efforts. I too have been privileged to learn new things thanks to an engaged audience and clients who alert me to interesting material they research and are willing to share. To all of those who contributed, as always my heartfelt thanks.

Business Leaders See Collaboration as ‘crucial

The new study, ‘Content Collaboration and Processing in a Cloud and Mobile World’, by independent information management analysts AIIM, looked to assess how organizations have managed two growing collaboration needs: quickly and easily linking external users into the content-sharing environment and giving users access to collaborative content from their mobile devices…READ ON

Co-opetition: the new business buzzword

Forget about being ruthless in business – a more accommodating approach has taken its place. Imagine being granted access the archives of a competing business which has been trading for a decade longer than you? Or, being allowed to trawl through the client list of a business you’ve always admired? Welcome to the wonderful world of “co-opetition”, where businesses of all shapes and sizes are forming co-working arrangements, enabling them to become stronger competitors in the process…READ ON

Sen. Boxer urges collaboration on water policy

Rejecting what she called a “zero-sum” game that pits agricultural communities against urban areas, Sen. Barbara Boxer called on all water users on Thursday to work together to ensure everyone’s needs are met. “Too often in recent years we’ve been blocked from making progress by a culture of conflict that pits one stakeholder against another, with policies that only lead to one place: the courtroom door. I, your senator, challenge that policy,” she said. “All stakeholders must figure this out together…READ ON

Problems In Crimea Won’t Affect US – Russia Space Collaboration

Russia and the US have the largest space exploration programs in the worlds, respectively of course. The problem is that in order to efficiently work in space, you need to be an efficient team player; even if your team comes across an opposing team on the field. What I’m trying to say is that it’s important to work together in order to gather information about space, taking grudges into play when you’re not even in your planets gravitational pull is obviously something to take into consideration. The political tensions and economic pressures that are put on these foes is something isn’t going to affect how they handle business in space, the ISS (International Space Station) is going to continue on being as efficient as it always is…READ ON

Collaboration gets major projects off the ground

Michael A. Finney, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., said developing more collaboration in the state was a key goal when Rick Snyder was elected governor. The MEDC is a public-private partnership serving as the state’s lead agency for business and job growth. Finney was the keynote speaker at the investment awards event, which was held at the Johnson Center at Cleary University in Genoa Township…READ ON

Alliance aims to create arts collaboration

Arts-focused organizations need to source more inspiration from one creation: The Big Picture. “We have everything we need,” said Kitty Love, executive director of the Asheville Area Arts Council, during Saturday’s Creative Sector Summit. “It’s really a matter of bringing it together. The barriers have been a lack of communication and centralizing focus. “(Buncombe Cultural Alliance) is an effort to bring that all together.” Love led the Buncombe Cultural Alliance presentation and community feedback session Saturday morning at the Asheville Art Museum during the final day of the Creative Sector Summit…READ ON

Collaboration versus Solitude: Which One Drives Innovation?

Is collaboration precursor to innovation that leads to better productivity?

America is the land of the Group. From universities to boardrooms and open-layout offices, we as students and employees are encouraged to work together within teams, and are taught from an early age that forming a group brainstorm or study session is the most effective way to learn and generate ideas. But is this “New Groupthink,” a term coined by Susan Cain, author of “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking,” really the best platform…READ ON

Future of Work: Internal & External Collaboration

How has technology changed the nature of collaboration over the last decade? 10 years ago there was no Cloud, no iPhone, and no social media. Ubiquitous and immediate access to every corner of the Internet has changed mass culture as well as business culture. Immediacy and constant contact is normal, people feel entitled to it, and technology has both driven and been driven by this expanding entitlement. Email, Skype and its ilk, CRM platforms, social media, corporate content management systems – all of these are tools that facilitate communication and data exchange instantly, anywhere…READ ON

…and now for something completely different…

Important Life Lessons: What’s The Most Important Life Lesson Older People Feel You Must Know?

Karl Pillemer of Cornell University interviewed nearly 1500 people age 70 to 100+ for his book “30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans.” He asked them what life lessons they’d pass on…READ ON

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