Synergy is the
interaction of multiple elements in a system to produce an effect different
from or greater than the sum of their individual effects. The term synergy
comes from the Greek word synergos, meaning "working together”. “The
collaboration could be between and amongst things, ideas and people. The
collective energy of soldiers in a battlefield is a quintessential victory tool”
(Kuenyefu, 2013). In much the same way, the collective efforts of entrepreneurs
is a success tool that can be harnessed to defy all odds’.
Most entrepreneurs
like wish to go solo in their entrepreneurial pursuit because of the sharing of
profit, potential disagreements and other cons associated with collaboration. Others who tempter into it seek weak partner
whom they think they can cheat. Synergy is not and shouldn't be a double-dealing tool!!
It must be formed with competent, hardworking and diligent people in order for its mystical powers to be fully unleashed. Synergy, when harnessed very well,
can be a springboard for the attainment of higher heights. As the adage goes,
“Two heads are better than one”. Mother Theresa once said, “You can do what I
cannot do, I can do what you cannot do; together we can do great things. Since
ideally a team consists of persons with unique and diverse skills, there is
division of labor and specialization in the resulting enterprise and this
increases its efficiency and effectiveness. As opposed to the so called profit
sharing con of synergy, synergy increases the overall profit of the enterprise
and as such the individual earnings thereof. After all, 20% 0f GH₵10000
(synergy earnings) is better than GH₵1000 (solo earnings).
However, one must
consider a major caveat in synergy: one must collaborate with like-minded
people who share one’s vision and not with unlike-minded people even if they
are family members. The collaboration with unlike-minded people especially
family members or relatives has led to the downfall of many enterprises. Collaborating with like-minded people will go a long way to reduce disagreements and conflicts if not eradicate
them.
The collaboration
of the trio of Ken Ofori-Atta, Keli Gadzekpo and James Akpo (now Togbe Afede
XIV) to form Databank which today has become a leader in the financial market
activity both in Ghana and on the African continent as a whole illustrates the
power of synergy. They began with a borrowed money of $25000 together with
their integrity and experience gathered whilst working in the states. The
collaboration of an initial people has today served as a source of employment to
many, made investors better off, raised capital for corporate entities and
deepened the financial market activity in Ghana and beyond.
In a nutshell, “collaboration is great,
collectivism is marvelous and teamwork is results-yielding. Great achievements
have been forged on the anvils of team work and collaboration throughout
history. Synergy gets you there faster than solo effort” (Kuenyefu, 2013).
Reference
Kuenyefu, P. L. (2013). To the Zenith. Aflao: Selawokah Digital
Shinning Colors Limited.
