Most of us try and begin a new year with a fresh approach. Whatever setbacks happened last year are in the past. Now is a time for optimism. But how can we be optimistic in the face of a 24-hour cycle of depressing news? The answer is collaboration.

Economists and prognosticators predict a wave of mergers, collaborations and partnerships in 2009. Joining forces can help businesses with a common cause overcome common challenges by supporting each other, much like caregivers for people with a devastating illness form support groups with families dealing with a similar challenge.

From nonprofits and government agencies to healthcare organizations, professional services firms, or educational institutions, forming networks, collaborations and partnerships will be the key to surviving and thriving as the economy recovers. It can help organizations communicate with common stakeholders and design creative campaigns to raise revenue, deliver services and increase brand awareness.

Here are some examples of how organizations can help each other reach common goals:

Checkoff Colorado is a collaborative public awareness campaign to encourage donations to the charitable funds in Colorado's tax checkoff program. By "checking off" a small donation to one or more of these causes, a taxpayer can make a huge difference to communities across the state. The members of the collaboration realize that a rising tide lifts all boats, so they pool together a budget to get more taxpayers to make donations. The idea is that you don't have to make a big donation to make a big difference. The program is a simple way to give.

Healthcare organizations often team up to get the word out about a common cause. For example, they might join forces to encourage people to get a flu shot or to get their child immunized. In Colorado, many organizations work with the state and local health departments to promote these efforts through the Colorado Influenza and Pneumococcal Alert Coalition (CIPAC), a statewide coalition dedicated to decreasing vaccine-preventable respiratory disease in Colorado through collaborative efforts in education and immunization.

Pima Medical Institute is a medical career college that collaborates with local medical job sites to provide internships for Pima students. The on-the-job-training programs prepare students to hit the ground running, and provide the job sites with a steady stream of highly trained employees.

Sage Public Relations Group (Jon Pushkin is a member) is a collaborative, virtual agency of veteran PR pros that combine their individual specialties to put together customized teams and strategic communications programs according to the needs of each client. Sage is designed to help each member quickly add the depth and expertise they need and to provide members with a built in network of support and resources.

As you begin the new year, think of how you can help your business or your clients by creating new or strengthening existing collaborations and partnerships. It may be the most effective way to create successful momentum in 2009.