This is an exciting project for Oxfordshire going into 2011 and one that has proven to be highly successful in other locations. Anything which drives visitor business around the county should be both applauded and embraced; and Visit Oxfordshire will look forward to working with the Woa! Rhino team to ensure its success".

John Hoy, Chief Executive Blenheim and Shadow Chair Visit Oxfordshire

Collaboration is more than co-operation

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Oliver

Collaboration is a process where two or more people, or organisations, work together to realise a shared ambition. This is more than mere co-operation. It is a collective determination to achieve something that everyone agrees upon rather than a compromise. It is said that teams that work collaboratively can obtain greater resources, recognition and reward when facing competition for finite resources.(adapted from Wikipedia)

Woa! Rhino is all about collaboration.

The Wild in Art concept is built upon collaborative effort; sponsors with artists, communities with charities and schools with their pupils. At this time of great (forced) austerity, we are looking in particular at sponsorship collaboration.

We are not relying upon, nor indeed expecting, individual companies to step up and adopt a rhino – although those that have the means to do so would be welcomed with open arms. Instead, we would like to think that we could encourage some inspirational partnerships that would share the cost and multiply the brain power on offer. And, who knows, it may lead to future collaboration in the commercial world.

Have you thought about teaming up with a supplier and strengthening those links? Chester Zoo last year teamed up with the company that supplies all of the fruit for their animals;
Have you thought of teaming up with a neighbouring business or the whole of your street and testing your ability to work together for collective benefits? Tenants of Chester Market worked together last year;
Have you thought about sponsoring a local primary school? All of those teachers, parents and pupils could be potential customers for your business.

The benefits of this project are sizeable and if collaboration is the answer to your concerns about participating then please make that leap. If we were to talk in the language of funding and assessment bodies for one second, we would say that:

The outputs of this project will include inspirational public art, pupil-led learning and significant donations to worthwhile charitable causes;
The outcomes of this project could include increased opportunities for participating artists, improved self-esteem for schoolchildren and greater commercial opportunity for sponsors;
The legacy may include positive contributions to Ofsted assessments, heightened awareness of local business opportunities and some real long-term commitments to corporate social responsibility and worthwhile causes.

This project will inevitably include considerations about the return on your investment, whether this is time or money. However, this project can be about so much more, if you let it.