No matter if you're a part of a small company, a large corporation, or something in between, you're likely aware how important it is to collaborate with others. However, with so many possible collaboration opportunities available, you might feel overwhelmed as to where to turn and what to look for. Once you've determined that you want to collaborate with one person, a group, or another company, you should do the following:

Set forth a purpose. Before the collaboration begins, sit down and ensure there's a strong shared purpose. Taking this step can alleviate any misconceptions as well as provide focus and direction.

Ensure mentoring and coaching are available. Formal and informal mentoring opportunities offer different ways for collaborators to get involved. Formal mentoring has clear roles and responsibilities, while informal mentoring is integrated into daily activities.

Determine a type of collaboration. There are two different types of collaboration: open and closed. Open collaboration involves gathering a wide range of ideas from a variety of courses, while a closed collaboration gives you the best solutions from a smaller group of people.

Build trust. Collaborating with others might hit a standstill if others don't feel like they can open up. To combat distrust, consider setting up team-building activities and encourage people to provide honest and constructive feedback. Doing so can give them the confidence to speak up.

Embrace outsourcing. Supporting other businesses isn't necessarily a short-term goal. Instead, it's a lifelong commitment. Whenever you have the opportunity, you should consider connecting with local small businesses. This sets a good example for others in the community and fosters a supportive community.

Collaboration lets people come together who might have different backgrounds to accomplish common goals. By pooling talent, creating new products, and coordinating large products, you can capitalize on collaborative efforts to help your business grow. Reach out to other like-minded individuals and businesses and learn how collaboration can help your endeavors.