When it comes to using technology in business, the first thing that comes to mind is automation, which is used to simplify or eliminate tedious tasks and improve productivity, mostly in the assembly line. These are all repetitive tasks, that do not involve human traits, such as empathy or decision-making, making it easier for machines and technology to perform them.
But, when it comes to teamwork and collaboration, which relies on flexibility, habits and personality traits, can technology be used to help build up trust and better communication amongst team members? The short answer is yes! Evaluate the impact of technology on team functioning, and the ways in which technology can help encourage teamwork and collaboration below.
Cloud computing
Probably the biggest advancement in technology when it comes to teamwork and collaboration: cloud computing has made it possible for employees to view, share, modify and upload files with other team members and key external partners, no matter their location or device used. Therefore, it’s not surprising 91% of businesses are already using the cloud. Gone are the days when you had to travel into the office for a meeting to discuss updates to an important document. Now you can simply access it from your smartphone or tablet and start commenting and editing it in real-time.
Cloud collaboration tools, such as Kahootz, allow businesses to keep client, suppliers and project communications all in one place, available for all employees to check and make use of at all times. Users can customise workspaces to fit the company’s needs and make it easier for them to do their job. No more emails asking for a certain bill or contract, because they are all in one place, available for anyone to access when they need it.
Team collaboration and communication
Statistics show that 70% of remote workers don’t feel included in the workspace.
With the help of technology, people can now efficiently communicate, no matter the distance between them. Using business communication apps, employees can send messages, share files, set up conference calls and create online forums so lines of communication are kept open at all times. This makes it easier for managers to connect and discuss progress with employees as well as avoiding long and unnecessary email trails. Perhaps the ones who benefit most from communication apps are remote workers or colleagues who are not in the same office as them.
In smaller companies, communication happens in a more organic way. But when it comes to companies with over 100 employees, keeping in touch with everyone can be a burden. Imagine if you had to work on a project with a colleague who works in a different country. Why go through the burden of constantly exchanging emails, when you can just chat with each other fast, efficient and on point? However, there is also the language barrier to consider. You definitely don’t want your communications to be lost in translation!
Motivation booster
In order to be productive and efficient, a team needs to be kept motivated. Unfortunately, this is not happening as much as it should be. In fact, a study shows that 70% of employees are not motivated or committed to performing at their best. Out of that 70%, more than half have stated they don’t feel engaged, while almost 20% stated they are intentionally detached from their work activity.
By using the latest technology, employers can increase engagement in the workplace and encourage employees to outperform themselves. For example, by collecting real-time feedback from their employees, companies can make them feel more valued and encouraged to speak their mind. This can be done by using survey tools. This kind of technology can also be used to review the performance of such employees and their relationships with other colleagues.
Knowledge sharing can also help motivate employees. This was shown in a recent study that found companies promoting collaborative working were 5 times more likely to be high performing.
Project management
Another tool from technology that boosts teamwork and collaboration is project management. It can be difficult to schedule project meetings and keep track of deadlines with teams spread across multiple organisations. But by using project collaboration software, these are managed in one platform. This allows you to focus on solving issues requiring a human touch. The correct implementation of project collaboration software will help your stakeholders keep track of all projects, prioritise key tasks and facilitate collaboration between team members and external partners.
Team productivity can also be monitored, making it simpler for you to discuss project progress with key individuals. At the same time, team members can also keep on top of their own productivity and adjust their workflow accordingly, if necessary. Document management can also be simplified. Spreadsheets updated and shared via email cause confusion as no-one knows which version is the most up-to-date.
So it’s not surprising the number of companies who use spreadsheets decreased from 74% to 67% between 2016 and 2017, with the trend decreasing year-on-year. But by creating one central online database instead, information can be updated in the knowledge that everyone has access to the same accurate data.
Training
A slightly overlooked aspect when it comes to improving teamwork and collaboration is training sessions. With the use of technology, companies can develop training courses to help employees work better in teams. Forget the outdated team-building games. Nowadays, augmented reality (AR) can be included in training sessions, to stimulate employees and teach them how to improve collaboration.
The best part is, it can be done between employees that work thousands of miles apart. This helps build a better connection between offices from different cities or countries. When asked, 70% of consumers believe AR can be an invaluable tool which can help them master new professional skills.
At the same time, employees can also attend webinars and training sessions hosted by veterans in the company. This form of mentorship is paramount in helping employees reach their full potential and establishing good relationships between them.
