A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided to enable the provision of a mechanism by which a device participating in a collaborative application may synchronize with other participating devices. A method may include providing for operation of a collaboration application, receiving a signal from a sensor, establishing a reference time in response to receiving the signal from the sensor, and synchronizing the collaboration application using the reference time. The sensor may include an accelerometer and the signal may include a sampling of information from the sensor. The sampling may be conducted during a pre-defined time interval or possibly until a bump is detected. Establishing the reference time may include detecting a maximum value of the signal and/or detecting the signal exceeding a pre-defined threshold. Establishing the reference time may not require wireless communication.