3 Strategies to Improve Collaboration in the Workplace
Why do business leaders need to create a collaborative workplace? In today's business environment, work assignments have become more complex and require an increasing number of specialists. In addition, staying ahead of the curve requires the constant production of shiny new products, created at a feverish pace.
Workplace collaboration has become a necessity, and leaders are adding a new skill set to their attaché as they morph into collaboration experts. Collaboration is required among staff workers, between business organizations, and with customers.
Creating a collaborative workplace requires increased adaptability and respect for research, idea sharing, innovation, product testing, and resource reallocation. Team dynamics are fluid. Trust is essential.
The environment is different with more open space for interaction; technology and the Internet are allowing communication to flow from customer to business with ease, creating a more recognized two-way street.
Here are three strategies that will help you build a collaborative workplace. These can be implemented independently or as part of a cohesive business plan.
1. Coworker collaboration within the workplace
Creating a workplace that fosters collaboration requires effective staffing initiatives, project assignments, and an adaptable work environment. Work spaces should be reconfigured so they're conducive to sharing information. Assignments should be created that will allow staff to construct innovative solutions through cooperative teams.
Collaborative work environments foster innovation. Employees who share knowledge with coworkers end up feeling more inspired to come up with new and better ways of doing things. Energy levels increase as a greater number of people interact in open work spaces. Knowledge can be shared naturally through the flow of the day.
What we particularly find helpful in building a business that thrives in this current economy is knowledge is more likely to be shared horizontally across departments through staff interactions that encourage the breaking down of barriers and silos.
A collaborative workplace enables workers to have a choice of where they work by providing a range of settings to support multiple team configurations. No longer bound by ‘‘assigned seating,” workers can switch where they work depending on the assignment and with whom they need to engage. This approach can build stronger networks among people, projects, and ideas. Open settings allow people to work and make themselves accessible to others.
2. Strategic alliances between business organizations
Strategic alliances provide another type of workplace collaboration. Many businesses find that if they have a specific area of expertise, it can be enhanced by partnering with another organization that has a different area of expertise. This alliance can better serve clients without either business needing to spend large amounts of time broadening its set of capabilities.
Strategic alliances need to be carefully designed for long-term success; a clear definition of expectations needs to be articulated from the start. What metrics will be tracked, measured, and reported to both companies to understand if the alliance is successful? Brief executive summary should be prepared to regularly review progress and adjust the alliance as needed.
Finally, the two entities should fit well together to successfully serve the customer. There needs to be obvious synergies between the two parties to sustain a successful working relationship.
3. Customer and business collaboration
When buying new products and services, most customers do their homework; they research through the Internet and by word of mouth. A collaborative workplace, therefore, should also include the flow of information from customers to company staff by providing vital feedback about consumer opinions and concerns. Collaboration with customers can be very beneficial when the feedback informs future business development, determines the future health of the organization, and benefits the company's products and services.
Examples of commonly used customer collaboration methods include social media, network-based recordings and analytics, video feedback, and Web-based collaborations through Customer Relationship Management (CRM). The anecdotal information gained from listening to customers allows for a partnership to develop between the business and the public.
