When people think and strategize about improving products and services in both the public and private sectors… how often does the term Co-Production come up?  Maybe I can accept that Co-Production is not first… second… or even third on a leaders list of priorities.  But lets be honest… does it even come up in the progress discussion?

Well before we get too far into this week’s TRIPLE III TIME topic:  “Co-Production”… REALLY MATTERS!… here is a basic definition of what is meant by the term Co-Production.

“Co-Production refers to a way of working where service providers and users work together to reach a collective outcome.  The approach is value-driven and built on the principle that those who are affected by a service are best placed to help design it.”

Think about Co-Production in any marketplace.  Not only is cooperating in the building of products a very  useful, economic practice… but also it makes sure every marketing option is maximized…everyday…everyway!  With the ever-challenging profit-margin being “squeezed-down” in all customer-service sectors, it is just common understanding that “Co-Production”… REALLY MATTERS!

What about the public sector?  Unfortunately today, funding for public service programs…no matter the customer-base… is being reduced.  So what’s the best alternative strategy.  I believe better partnering with other organizations is the most solid option.  Because “Co-Production”…REALLY MATTERS! especially in public service programming, the practice of blending one or more opportunities often services to create an even better product for every client customer.

Bottomline:  Often during my consulting times I hear from my customers that they practice Co-Production “all the time”.  But when I ask the more specific questions about WITH WHO… FOR WHAT… and HOW OFTEN… the “all the time” earlier answer becomes a little questionable.  Well the goal for this “Co-Production”…REALLY MATTERS! TRIPLE III TIME message is to encourage everyone to consider Co–Production opportunities in ALLaspects of your business/agency operations.  Also, try and move Co-Production up on your scale of new/old business practices and hopefully have it make a major contribution in effectiveness and efficiency in everything that you do.