Collaboration Leadership

– Respond briefly (½ page each; single space) but fully (yes, I know that’s contradictory) to the four questions/scenarios below. – Remember to hone your answers with good, clear writing, check spelling and grammar, and provide reference/source, if any Remember to review the “Rubric for Essay writing” in the “Course Information” section prior to submitting your answer Questions 1.) Using the example of Broadmoor, Louisiana, (Morse, p 85-87), explain (with specifics) how the “three Ps” of collaboration – Purpose, People, and Process – must all be present in a successful community collaboration. 2.) Explain the role that stakeholders play in a collaborative effort. As a leader of a COMMUNITY-BASED collaboration, how would you assure that all stakeholders are represented? 3.) Businesses, nonprofits and even government entities are moving away from command and control management. How does this trend affect the role leaders must play in an increasingly collaborative world? 4.) You are Chef Collaboration Officer for Ginormous Toy Corporation, a publicly traded, U.S.-based company that sells toys under its own brand and distributes its own and other brands through a network of some 250 retail stores in the United States. It also has a second brand and retail network for baby goods (toys, furniture, clothing). Two years ago, the company went through a public-relations crisis when toys it purchased from China were found to have lead paint. It was fined by the U.S. government and told to do a costly recall. It has since instituted a rigorous program with new policies and procedures plus inspections and upgrades of its supplier network to prevent future problems in this area. Recent reports monitored by outside organizations show that this initiative is having a positive affect on performance; there have been no new instances of lead paint in the company’s toys. You have been approached by The National Autism Coalition (NAC) to form a collaboration, which they suggest would use the equity and good will of both organizations to benefit them both. NAC is one of the largest nonprofits operating in the autism “space.” It was founded by a group of volunteer parents of children with autism spectrum disorders ten years ago, but is now a professionally managed, well-funded organization. Among its fund-raising actions is a series of Autism Walkathons each April during National Autism Month. NAC funds research into causes and treatment of autism, and recently merged with another organization serving the population. In addition to research and public education, NAC has a very active lobbying initiative that seeks government recognition at state and federal levels for the cause, additional government funding for research into treatments and cures, and special funds for educating autistic children in the public schools. About five years ago, the organization had been very vocal in supporting the theory that childhood vaccines are one of the triggers for autism. However, it has since changed its view when well-respected research failed to prove any link, and the researcher who first raised the alarm was found to have used fraudulently developed data in his original articles, forcing the medical journal that published his studies to retract its endorsement. (Note: NAC was not a funder or in any other way involved in this research). NAC has put out definitive statements regarding its belief that the link is, indeed, not true. You are going to make a presentation to the CEO on whether Ginormous Toy should collaborate with NAC. In preparing for this, you have read the article by Berger, et al, on Social Alliances between companies and nonprofit organizations, and other readings on collaboration leadership. Your response should outline your presentation, and should include the following: Describe what you believe to be the three biggest “predictable problems” such an alliance would face? Describe three potential “areas of fit” that might suggest a workable alliance; also what areas might the “fit” not be there and work against success. Provide your well-reasoned rationale for whether the collaboration should move forward – or not. Justify your response based on your understanding of collaboration dynamics, The “Three Ps,” stakeholder interests, leadership requirements, etc. (both from reading in the course and personal experience). If you responded YES, indicate what structure the alliance might take and what activities might be appropriate. If you responded NO, indicate if there are positive outcomes that you are willing to “give up” because they do not outweigh the potential risks. Note… this response may be a bit longer than the others!