Collaborative Working Spaces

Shared workspaces is a concept that is really gathering momentum via Beyond Bank Australia’s pilot program of “Business Hubs” and is proving successful with the bank’s community partners, writes Peter Rutter, General Manager Community Development.

Charles Darwin, credited with the theory of evolution also had some profound thoughts on teamwork that are just as relevant in 2015 as they were in the 19th Century.

He remarked that, “Those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.”

Collaboration with the community sector is a core principle at Beyond Bank Australia.

It’s a principle rooted in the belief that creating shared value is always better than going it alone.

With economic times tough for most of us, this principle is one that we keep returning to when meeting and talking with our not for profit partners.

How can we help? What can we do? How can we share what we have?

We are continually exploring ways to work with like-minded people to make us all more efficient, more effective.

Sharing our services has been a fantastic example. Giving our community partners access to human resources, accounts payable, marketing,  IT, the list is endless.

And as you will know, these sorts of services are hard to budget for when you are a small to medium Not for Profit enterprise that needs to wring the most value out of every dollar.

The positive outcomes from this shared services business model have become apparent very quickly with streamlined processes, improved value and more opportunities for networking and growth which is beneficial for everyone.

Shared workspaces is another concept that is really gathering momentum and Beyond Bank Australia has been delighted with the reception we have received from a pilot program of “Business Hubs” across our national network.

The Business Hub idea is a simple one. We have boardroom space, meeting facilities, video and phone conferencing in most of our branches.

Many of our community partners don’t have these sorts of corporate workplaces, so why not share them?

This co-working space at branch and state office level has created a mindset of collaboration and shared value.

Not for Profit groups can book our facilities at no cost for client meetings, national phone hook-ups, morning tea, AGMs, you name it.

Trials in our Port Lincoln branch on South Australia’s West coast have exceeded all expectations with bookings coming from established community partnerships like the local domestic violence service, Yarredi as well as other groups like The Port Lincoln Wig Library and Strata Data.

It’s given these organisations a real sense of ownership as well as dramatically reducing many start-up costs by providing instant and ready access to local networking connections.

For Beyond Bank, it means we can maximize the use of our existing facilities, drive closer and more sustainable business and banking relationships and future engagement through advice, events and education.

Together, we have strengthened our relationships through important face-to-face contact, a welcoming environment and an old fashioned friendly smile.

We believe this sort of collaboration between like-minded people is the key to better business, better, stronger communities and a better future for us all.

Find out more HERE.