Smarter Collaboration

We need a new approach for solving tough problems in a complex world—we need to collaborate smarter.

Market volatility. Sustainability demands. Opportunities and hazards of fast-changing technology and regulations. The challenges for companies in a VUCA world are more daunting than ever. How can we collaborate in our organizations—and with outside partners—to solve problems, innovate, and succeed?

In her bestselling first book, Smart Collaboration, Heidi K. Gardner brought her years of research and experience at Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, and McKinsey to the thorny problem of how to collaborate in professional service firms. Her key insight: firms that collaborate across silos generate higher revenues and profits, innovate faster, build stronger client relationships, and attract and retain better talent. The book quickly became the go-to resource on collaboration for PSFs.

Since then, Gardner has engaged with tens of thousands of senior business leaders from around the world. Turns out that the challenge of smart collaboration exists far more broadly, in organizations in such diverse industries as financial services, healthcare, biotech/pharma, consumer products, automotive, technology, and more.

Now, in Smarter Collaboration, Gardner teams up with senior executive Ivan Matviak to help any organization implement the principles of smart collaboration. As with all fast-growing business trends, the key question quickly becomes how to execute on the ideas and avoid the potential pitfalls. Gardner and Matviak combine their wisdom to advance the state of the art of smart collaboration.

Filled with rich stories and cases, new empirical research, and loads of practical tips and advice, Smarter Collaboration is essential reading for leaders and managers in today's complex, data-rich, war-for-talent environment.