What Can Collaboration Look Like in 2025?

The term collaboration is so broad that it feels like its meaning is almost blurred and hard to truly define.

But, is that because collaboration in 2025 actually covers a lot more ground than it ever has done before? With the introduction of AI, increase in technology, and more people working a hybrid lifestyle, we think the definition of collaboration has been challenged. We have explored further into collaboration, about what it looks like and how it feels in 2025.

Can remote working support collaboration?

Collaboration feels like it has to be a tangible process from start to finish, where the output and result of the collaboration is a physical one. For example, a product or a service launch, a new office space or building etc. But what about the continuous collaboration that is happening around us in the ether that we aren’t yet aware of?

Intercompany collaboration to offer the best-of-the-best digital service seems to be on the rise, where rather than be fearful of competition, companies embrace the connection and begin to build bigger and better products on the market.

This can be seen with Lloyds and Octopus (yes, the energy company). They are two brands you would never consider to be allies, but in this scenario, they are keen on developing the best and most accessible banking product on the market.

Guess what? The majority of their collaboration is completely remote. We’re talking Teams calls, shared drives, phone calls etc. where the best talent across all corners of the country are put together to deliver an exceptional product.

Don’t get me wrong, there are negatives and challenges to remote working, but contrary to the taboo of video calling damaging any vibrancy within collaboration pre-Covid, all-in-all it has widened opportunity and challenged businesses to thrive in a more flavourful market.

Skills swap - switching and swapping your skills with your mates.

Literally what it says on the tin. Collaboration is seen many times within skills swapping (or ‘skills value exchange’ for want of a fancier term).

At first read it feels a bit cheeky, but ultimately this is where you are receiving a product/service/knowledge in return for providing your own skill as payment.

This form of collaboration is most often seen within startups and freelancers, where vital skills are swapped for a similar monetary value. Rather than an IOU or an invoice generated, it’s mutual agreement in deliverables.

An example of this might be a website creator developing a site in exchange for a rebrand, though the two jobs may seem similar within the marketing world, they require very different tools and skillsets.

Hosting events is a community-building collaboration tool!

We love a knees up, but even better when cohosting is involved! Not only a share in eventing responsibilities, cost, and risk, but boosted brand awareness for everyone involved in the marketing.

Collaborating together on events actively brings in new audiences as you cross untapped markets - again, events can be virtual or in person. The reward and awareness following the collaboration could be game changing.

Ever heard that saying “one email could change your life”? Well, we believe this to be true also within the eventing world.

Events bring people together that have common interests. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities and future (you guessed it) collaboration!

Be mindful that there doesn’t always appear to be an immediate impact from events as relationships take time to build, but you never know when your name might get mentioned in a room because of that amazing event you hosted or attended.

Overall, there is much to be said for collaboration, where this post could delve further.

Collaborating with the right people who share ethics and missions is equally as important as the end product or service itself.

Whether you deem virtual/in person communications more/less valuable, you cannot deny the benefits of collaboration (such as further brand awareness, learning new skills, making new connections) for you and your business’s future.