Co-creating value between schools and business - to achieve business growth

The best work compliment that I’ve ever been given was, “You think more of your schools than your colleagues.” They were correct, and needless to say I’m no longer working with those colleagues as we didn't share the same belief and passion to serve schools and the young people in them.

It’s a tough job selling into schools, but a very very rewarding one when you get it right and you see young people being enabled by your products or services. You always have to remember that people buy from people, and the co-creation of value has always been positive for me in achieving more for the schools and growth for the businesses that I’ve worked in.?

In an era of purpose-driven marketing and storytelling, the authentic co-creation of value offers considerable opportunities for all stakeholders. In my career either as a teacher in a school or a businessman working in schools, the interface and relationship between the two has always been of utmost importance to me. Good and bad customer experiences are shared in moments online and it’s only the strength of human-to-human understanding that can work things out and ultimately enable us all to do the best for our younger generations.

As a former teacher working with businesses, I’ve floored many company representatives by saying, “What can we do for you?”. They usually responded, “Buy my product etc." and then I’ve replied positively that I’m going to do that anyway or else we wouldn’t be meeting, but beyond that how can we help? “What are you interested in?”

As a businessman, beyond financial transactions, I’ve always asked schools that I visit, “What can I do for you?”. It’s a wonderful moment when you watch people pause and consider your question, having to think a little. Over the years I’ve had all manner of requests; be beta testers for new product releases, request extra training, do a CPD event, recommend an expert in something, review school development plans, do I know other schools doing something, the list is exhaustive. In all instances they have been opportunities to gain insight, build relationships and add value, and in my own personal experience very enjoyable interactions. It’s made me into what I've called privately until now, 'a human electrician': what two or more humans can I connect and get some positive energy flowing?

This is the sentiment of what I call the, 'co-creation of value', which has gained business growth, and on some occasions achieved the seemingly impossible and built lifelong relationships.?I’m about to 'go again' on launching a new cloud platform into education. I’ve never been so excited about the possibilities and I’m thrilled at the thought of the team that I’m determined to build who will have the 'co-creation of value' front and centre in everything that we do.?

There are three words that have come to be core in my approach: challenge, partnership and legacy. What are either parties' challenges, how can we partner to solve them and what does a positive legacy for everyone look like?

So come along to the BESA Edtech Exchange Brunch on the 5th June in Bristol. Let’s talk and network, and see how we can move education forward.

Article by Andrew Goff , experienced EdTech expert and Founding Director, Interactive Opportunities .

Andrew will deliver a keynote presentation sharing his experience in building award-winning relationships between schools and education suppliers in the UK, and internationally in the UAE and India.