Businesses that strategize their collaboration efforts all share a common goal- to improve the overall engagement on the platforms they currently have in place today, or to supplement them with newer compatible technologies that will increase overall collaboration.
Organizations are using multiple platforms to meet expanding collaboration needs, which increases the rise in hybrid environments. In today’s business environments, it is not uncommon to have several scattered platforms being used - causing massive disorganization.
The question is- how can executives and IT administrators use collaboration tools to truly make a transformative workplace? Following these five tips will help companies achieve substantial gains in productivity, innovation, and decision making advancements administrators are seeking from these technologies. Keep these in mind any time you are collaborating across multiple platforms:
1. Define how each tool will be used:
It is crucial to understand the primary use for each tool and to know who their target users are because each solution has specific strength and definite uses. Talk with your end users about these uses and see if their expectations extend beyond the defined use of the platforms. If this turns out to be the case, use this as an opportunity to properly educate your end users on other tools that are available to them. Keep track of any unmet requirements while you continue to search for additional solutions to user problems.
2. Understand the boundaries of each platform:
Does the tools require regular performance and maintenance to ensure quality of service? Are there available reports and metrics that allow for easy management of these tools? It is vital to know the limit every tool has and to take time to do capacity planning based on the expected growth of the company.
3. Encourage engagement:
Okay, so you've worked with your end users to get a grasp on how they plan to use the tools and have done your homework on they ways they interact and on what support is needed. You thought your bases were covered and everything is going smoothly, then suddenly usage drops. What happened? Make sure you have visibility measures in place to monitor employees usage with collaboration tools. Listen to your employees when they tell you what is and isn't working. Their input is key to being able to make adjustments in the beginning stages to ensure higher user success.
4. Monitor adoption:
To get a sense of user adoption rates to the new technology, keep track of the overall activity. Some of the tools may only have a short-term life as the needs of the business continue to progress forward. Pay attention to which collaboration platforms benefit you now because chances are they will come in handy in the future.
5. Lead, don't follow
Be aware of what the end users want and expect out of collaboration technologies. If you see that many of your employees or coworkers are interacting with each other through social media, that’s a pretty good indicator that they may want and need a social collaboration platform within the company. Stay on top of these changing trends and technologies and work with your end users to trial new tools. Experimenting with ways to improve overall collaboration will help your business in the long run. If you are able to build a culture of trust and experimentation with your end users, they are going to be more willing to provide feedback on their habits and usage.The rapid increase we’re seeing in collaborative technologies is something to be excited about! We are in the middle of a dramatic change in the way workers share and access content and how they interact with their coworkers. Now is the time to take advantage of all the new tools and platforms. They are capable of sparking innovation across your business!
Encourage collaboration, but still mitigate the risks around the systems they use. Your goal should be to stay in tune with the changing trends and the new technology. Listening to your end users is not only important, but essential to the well-being and long-term health of your business.
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