An entrepreneurial business owner once told me that one morning each week he turns off the phones and instructs his staff not to schedule any meetings. The program pays off royally. Don't be a bureaucracy. Work like a team. Do it as a team.
Some folks believe that teaming up diminishes an organization's effectiveness.
However, coalitions, joint alliances, and joint ventures can result in very effective marketing and fund raising efforts. Companies that never thought they'd sit at the same table are now working together. Encourage Board support. If so, you can probably quit reading this article now and try again at a later date. Know your constituency.