Mapeo del ecosistema: ¿con quién colaborar?

How to map the business ecosystem to collaborate effectively?

Understanding the ecosystem in which your business operates is a powerful tool to grow and connect with other key players. Exploring the business environment not only allows you to identify potential allies, but also helps you to better understand your company's position in the market. However, this process is not as simple as it seems and requires an active effort to go beyond your previous and preconceived knowledge. This article will guide you through strategies for conducting a successful exploration of your ecosystem, so you can establish valuable connections that will drive your business forward.

Where to start your ecosystem exploration?

The first step in mapping your ecosystem is exploration. Like a good explorer, you must venture beyond your comfort zones and the known. A common mistake is to assume that you already know who you want to collaborate with. To avoid this, you need to open your mind to new horizons and look beyond the obvious.

1. Thorough research: Use the Internet as your main research tool. Look for industry reports, such as those produced by Finovista for fintech in Latin America, which provide a clear picture of the business landscape and entrepreneurs in the sector.

2. Analyze different types of companies: Differentiate between B2C (business to consumer) and B2B (business to business) companies. The strategies for approaching them are completely different. In B2B it is about carefully selecting your potential collaborators, as if you were hunting elephants, while in B2C the approach is more massive, understanding the collective behavior of consumers.

How to structure and expand your network?

Your network is crucial to open doors for you. It's time to review who you can count on and how these people can help you connect with potential strategic allies.

1. Create your contact list: Start by writing down the companies and corporations you already have contact with or would like to have contact with. Classify which ones are your current clients and with which ones you have not yet been able to connect.

2. Explore your personal network: Analyze your network of contacts: friends, former co-workers, business associates and family members, identifying who could provide you with a connection. This exercise is fundamental, since most successful contacts come from people we know personally.

3. Learn from the competition: Evaluate potential competitors, both local and international, to understand their clientele and positioning. This information can give you ideas on how to improve your strategy and capture the attention of similar companies.

How can you draw inspiration from other companies' strategies?

It is also essential to stimulate your creativity and aspirations by learning from other companies, even if they seem out of your reach.

• Identify benchmark companies: Select companies you admire, whether they are giants like Google or Amazon, or innovators in your field that stand out for their ability to collaborate and grow.
• Study unreachable customers: Don't just think about direct customers, but also those that now seem impossible to reach because of their industry or size. These examples will inspire you and help you develop more ambitious strategic plans.

Practical strategies for connecting and collaborating

Once you have a clear map of your ecosystem and contacts, it's time to implement strategies to connect with these entities and people:

• Use professional networks like LinkedIn to research potential connections at companies of interest.
• Stay on top of industry news and events that you can leverage as an entry point.
• Participate in conferences, trade shows and collaborate with accelerators and incubators that will boost your visibility and access to new opportunities.

Remember that this exploration and mapping of the ecosystem is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process that demands attention and dedication, but promises great long-term benefits for the growth and sustainability of your business. So, let's get to work! Get ready to face this challenge and don't stop, your success depends on it!