Partnering is what we do best.
If it’s not a life partner it’s a best friend or group of pals. Even our work place is a style of partnering in a job scenario to create results. It’s what we are made for, and it often brings out the best in us.
I have already posted one set of true stories that perfectly prove this last month (see that post here). In this second segment I’ll prove it even further with some of the biggest names in business in the world and how jointly they crafted major success.
Everyone has heard of Nike. The multi-billion dollar sports brand. It’s one of the top five success stories over the last four decades. But less people today have heard of Harris Tweed. The company was once an iconic Scottish fashion mainstay. Everyone from country folk to Royalty wore their jackets and clothing, all crafted on looms on the isle of Harris in the Scottish Islands.
But, times moved on. Fashion preferences changed. People favoured softer fabrics and sexy must-have brands on the up. The traditional tweed seemed dated, a historical throwback confined to times gone by. The market shrank, jobs were lost, and the economic future of the industry looked about to disappear for good..
But, in 2001, along came Nike. Looking for a fresher version of their Terminator trainer, they thought Harris Tweed could help promote the footwear in a specialised way and create a buzz. They ordered 10,000 yards of the cloth. Soon anyone who could weave on the Outer Hebrides islands was hard at work.
The orders flew off the shelves and saved Harris Tweed. Today their mill employs over 70 people and supports over 100 weavers. And they haven’t stopped there. This year Nike and Harris are combining once more for a limited edition Dunk Low trainers.
Such is the power of partnership and collaboration. For hip and cool with historical and elegant.
Top Marks together.
It’s not just one-off associations that form an amazing alliance.
Some have been lucratively in existence for many years.
When a Belarusian immigrant arrived in the North of England in the 1880’s he spoke hardly any English and had little money. He started up a small stall in Leeds market selling small homeware items under the slogan, ‘Don’t ask the price, it’s a penny’. The phrase caught on and soon he was doing well. Meeting a cashier from his wholesale suppliers they joined forces – one the stock purchaser and promoter, the other the credit and financial controller.
The partnership soon opened full Penny Bazaar stores where customers were free to browse which was not the normal custom.
The stores grew and expanded to 12 stores and 24 market stalls in only a few years and they were renamed under their surnames….
Marks and Spencer.
Today they can still be found in every high street in the UK plus 434 stores internationally across the globe. From one penniless newcomer who joined with an everyday local to develop an idea, today the business is worth £7.13billion. Yes…BILLION!!
Now do you believe in the power of partnership?
Penniless power.
You don’t need mass capital. Ideas are free.
They often span out of people with no funds or empty pockets who have to find a way to progress their fledgling concept idea or business. They also lead to joining forces with another person in the same position or with a similar vision. Needs must as they say.
Often it’s when we are stuck and struggling that our best ideas evolve. They are also the perfect moments to co-join with a partner to share skills, contacts, and add twice the manpower to pushing from a bad position to a brilliant one.
So when you have your next awesome idea that you hope will save the day, look also for a companion who can share the load and the road ahead with you. Partner-ships are ones that help us sail into new waters. And they often ensure that the tide turns in our favour.
Ideas are free, partnerships are golden.
If you are wondering what to do next, joining with a partner could be what works wonders for both of you.
Reference – Bbc.co.uk – Nike’s fling with Harris Tweed.
news.stv.tv – Nike and Harris Tweed unite.
Financial Times – www.ft.com – First Person: Donald John Mackay
corporate.marksandspencer.com – Our History.
archive.marksandspencer.com – Timelines – The M&S Story.
Photo attribution – free to use under the Pixabay content license by solmaiororquestra
