The traditional notion of work has changed for many, and all technology signs point to a continued evolution toward remote, collaborative, high-efficiency work structures for a variety of companies. While it is likely that no one saw this dramatic shift coming, we have all pivoted to the best of our abilities and embraced these changes head on.
Collaboration is a constant buzz word in endless industries that focuses on the inner workings of a company culture and operation. How do you get your employees working together and having mutual feelings of accomplishment, responsibility, and respect? What’s the ROI of collaboration? The questions we are asking now have changed in recent months. What was difficult in a traditional office setting has its own set of challenges in the digital world. Thankfully, there are simple and effective solutions:
Make collaborative technology the gold standard. Employees in every industry can benefit from digital communication tools and enjoy an inspiring culture of collaboration at work. Technology hubs, such as Microsoft Teams, offer an entire ecosystem of work-related apps and team-centric conversations to maintain a productive workflow and increased belonging. From communication tools such as simpleshow video maker, an explainer video platform fully integrated into MS Teams, to Microsoft native apps such as OneNote, there are 700 apps available for companies to peruse and identify what makes sense for their employees.
Make big teams feel cozier with cohorts. Giving your employees a pod-style structure makes the vast digital landscape seem a little more approachable. All too often, employees ping each other on communication platforms when they need something, or to check in on the status of a project or request. Creating pods of a handful of colleagues gives your team a place to have lighthearted conversations that also might connect them with cross-departmental colleagues they wouldn’t typically reach out and start a video call with on their own. This can be especially helpful with onboarding new team members who might feel a little disconnected out in the digital abyss. Think of pods as an exercise in well-being; we all want to be connected and have human interactions that aren’t just tied to deliverables and deadlines.
Create opportunities for colleagues to find commonalities. Forming organizations within your company to bring like-minded professionals together can be a great way to engage and encourage teambuilding. For example, consider a recurring Working Parents “office hours”-style Zoom room where your teammates can connect, offer tips, and support each other while also relating on a personal level. Support-style conversations also can be created for certain demographics, or professions, such as Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). While these co-workers sometimes find each other naturally, it is nice to have company endorsement behind these initiatives that bring people together.
Too much of a good thing. Another important aspect to embracing the technology shift is having well-publicized parameters for how users are meant to use the communication tools given to them. Understanding that this new working landscape leaves us constantly connected (for good and bad) means that some of your team might need reminders on what hours of the day to reach out to colleagues. Creating quick and clear explainer videos are an easy way to communicate changes and updates to policies, operational guidelines, best practices, and other relevant news in a lighthearted and entertaining way.
The Bottom Line
Collaboration goes a long way in improving employee retention, productivity, and engagement. Even further, a thoughtfully planned culture has the power to align your organization’s people, processes, and workplace. The remote workforce has multiplied rapidly, thanks to the pandemic, and the virtual work revolution will only continue to grow and evolve as needs become clear for the long term.
Assessing your company’s remote work ethos is a great place to begin realizing where there are gaps in functionality. In the near future, software that enhances collaboration will not be an option, it will be at the foundation of highly efficient workplaces. When employees are given the right tools to efficiently work together—remotely or otherwise—heightened team performance follows.
Erika Thomas is the director of Marketing & Communications for simpleshow, a company focused on simple communication techniques for businesses and educators. Thomas enjoys researching the psychology behind marketing, learning, and collaboration.
