International collaboration – Needs, essentials and pitfalls

The experiences of two information professionals, both members of the Association of Independent Information Professionals, demonstrate the value and effectiveness of international collaboration. One used the organization's discussion list to seek help from a colleague in Germany for a project researching a business acquired by a German firm. They agreed upon the scope of work, timeframe, delivery format, cost and payment method, and used the difference in time zones to their advantage. Using the AIIP's framework for subcontracting and partnering, they were able to combine their skills across languages and cultures to generate a high quality product in timely fashion, gaining customer satisfaction while building their own professional networks. They also discovered important points for successful international collaboration and pitfalls to avoid.