This vocabulary set describes ways people can work together in groups to achieve their goals.

Teamwork and Cooperation

Collaboration is literally 'working together' toward a common goal.

It can involve two or more people or groups, and is usually more structured and coordinated than cooperation.

Cooperation is voluntarily working together more informally, perhaps offering mutual help so groups or individuals can reach related goals.

Coordination is organizing the work of different individuals or groups so it will all fit together and reach the planned goal.

A contribution is something given to a common effort. People can contribute money, products, services, or time to their community or a group or cause they believe in.

A team is a group of people working together on a common project, each having responsibilities and a part to contribute to the whole. Teams are especially common in sports and at work.

Teamwork is important, because if some team members aren't fully committed it limits the success of the whole group. It may even lead to loss of the game or failure of the project.

Networking is more informal-- meeting with others that share interests to see if mutually beneficial relationships may grow.

Participation means being involved in some kind of activity with other people-- whether collaborating cooperating, networking, being on a team, or coordinating the efforts of others in the group.

A sole proprietorship is a business owned and run by one individual (though he or she may have employees.)

A partnership is a business run by two or more individuals cooperatively.

A corporation is a business owned by a group of stockholders and run by a Board of Directors. There are legal advantages to incorporating-- the company’s losses and liabilities do not belong to the individuals involved,

Colleagues are co-workers (of more or less equal status, unlike supervisors who direct other workers or  assistants, helpers who follow directions and usually do not make major decisions).

Innovation- Finding or inventing a new product or way of doing something.

Legal- connected with the law, or acceptable according to the law.

Project - a plan to do, make, or learn something, often requiring a lot of time or resources.