Richard Wood

Contact: Richard Wood
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Richard Wood,BCODP, UK

"There is no way we would form alliances with these people," says Richard Wood, chief executive of BCODP."It's almost like women agreeing they would set up women's organisations controlled by men.Women who were seeking their own emancipation would totally reject that."Wood advises making sure there is consensus and complete clarity about the agenda.If you don't all agree, says Wood, it's probably not worth working together.
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Wood agrees that this is one of the advantages of working together, especially when an initiative is getting started.

"There is no way we would form alliances with these people," says Richard Wood, chief executive of BCODP."It's almost like women agreeing they would set up women's organisations controlled by men.Women who were seeking their own emancipation would totally reject that."

Wood advises making sure there is consensus and complete clarity about the agenda.If you don't all agree, says Wood, it's probably not worth working together."An analysis of whether you will reach the goal quicker on your own than you will be joining with others who may not entirely share your agenda is an important consideration."2.Strong communicationGood communication is a common denominator in successful alliances.In order to feel like equal partners, participating organisations have to feel they know what's going on.Communication is the key.

If you want everyone to know what's going on, make sure you:
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Wood agrees that this is one of the advantages of working together, especially when an initiative is getting started."All of us had strengths that we were able to draw on...We weren't starting in a complete vacuum.People knew why they were getting together and we were able to draw on the strengths and skills of people who had already chaired organisations or who had financial skills."

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