5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Team’s Collaboration

One of the biggest changes since COVID-19 sent many workers home is how teams collaborate. No longer can we all gather in conference rooms to hash things out. Now we meet on camera with barking dogs in the background or in corporate chat rooms. Collaboration is vital to innovation and teamwork and as such, many businesses have had to adapt their collaboration methods. Here are 5 easy ways to improve your team’s remote collaborative capabilities.

1. GIVE YOUR TEAM THE RIGHT TOOLS

Not every employee will have a computer at home to work from or one that’s secure. Make sure that your business can get employees the proper hardware they need to do their job. As well as the appropriate software such as security suites, email, and chat/video conferencing technology. Chat and video have never been more vital, so make sure to find the product that’s right for your business.

2. BE FLEXIBLE

Everyone’s world is upside down right now. As result, which means no one’s schedule is what it used to be. Allowing for flexible schedules will help a variety of your workforce. Including parents juggling homeschooling or people adjusting to other external factors in the home. The more flexible your business can be, the higher morale will be. With higher morale comes higher productivity.

Your organization must also be more flexible. Processes that made sense in office might not work when done remotely.  It’s best to be malleable to change and adapt on the fly. 

3. CLEAR AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Consider hosting regular (preferably no more than weekly), short check-ins with your team. Use this time to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Not only will this keep everyone on the same page and updated, but it will also allow your team to socialize. Socialization is a key component to collaboration and likely missed.

You’ll also want to make sure that you’re communicating clearly with your team. Tone and body language are lost over text, so it’s important to try to be as clear as possible. Make sure your team understands what you’re trying to say and make sure to allow for more questions.

4. CLEARLY DEFINE SCHEDULES

It can be hard for a lot of people to disconnect from work once work is done if they’re still at home. It is also harder to tell when someone is available when you can’t physically see them. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What are the different time zones that my employees are in?
  • At what point do the time zones overlap in terms of working hours?
  • Is it appropriate to reach out to employees during odd hours?
  • What should be an appropriate/reasonable response time? 2 

5. DON’T FORGET TO CELEBRATE THE LITTLE THINGS

Just because your team can’t meet in person anymore doesn’t mean people stop having birthdays, anniversaries, and accomplishments. Make sure to do a shout for employees celebrating something and, if possible, consider sending them a small present or a sweet treat! Missing out on these milestones and events can make employees feel ignored and burned out; don’t let that happen to yours!

Click here to schedule your free remote workforce solution assessment. We’ll discuss what’s working, what isn’t and how we can help fill in the gaps.

Sources: 1 https://www.wrike.com/blog/improve-remote-collaboration-across-teams/ 2 https://www.cloudways.com/blog/remote-team-collaboration/ 3 https://hbr.org/2018/02/how-to-collaborate-effectively-if-your-team-is-remote

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