Two heads are better than one: The value of digital collaboration
Technology has made the business landscape circular rather than linear. Companies must be aware of this and adapt multiple directions in order to stay competitive. However, when employees are restricted to individual tasks, that can hinder the organisation from functioning effectively. Each person only focuses on their own activities in an environment that forces roles to overlap.
This is why collaboration is more important than ever. It allows a business to have a better view of its operations, and improve innovation and performance. When facilitated by efficiency software, collaboration can be an effective tool for boosting competitiveness overall.
Many of today’s roles overlap, and businesses need a workforce that is adaptable and collaborative.
Collaboration shaping the modern business
In the contemporary business world, roles are no longer segmented but often blurred across industries and interrelated. For instance, a report from the Australian Computer Society and Deloitte Access Economic has shown that technology is becoming increasingly integrated into the products and practices of businesses. This means that IT is a concern for everyone, not just the professionals that specialise in it, leading to a demand for alternative skill sets in the workforce.
“It is not just about companies trying to acquire skills so people can be good software developers. Companies are also now wanting people who can collaborate well, who can integrate across the different business units, who can communicate well, who have high values and integrity,” Cliff Rosenberg, LinkedIn regional managing director told the Australian Financial Review.
“It is no longer good enough to just have a specific skill. The workplace has become far more multi-dimensional.”
Perhaps the biggest impact of this multi-dimensionality is a rising need for cooperation among staff, as this allows businesses to be more adaptable and utilise the expertise of different employees more effectively.
Ways working together drives business growth
According to a 2015 survey of business professionals commissioned by software company Alfresco, 94 per cent of respondents view collaboration as important to an organisation. However, it’s not just about creating better teamwork within the workforce – it has effects that ripple across the entire organisation. Essentially, it is a tool that can be used to improve overall business performance. These positive impacts can include:
- Improved software ROI – Software applications can be used more effectively and produce more value when staff learn how to work together using technology.
- A better internal culture – When individuals and teams work together, this promotes a positive culture where people can share their ideas and combine their strengths to reach a single goal.
- More innovation – Having multiple perspectives leaves more room for staff to be creative and come up with innovative new solutions for the business.
- Increased productivity – Many hands make light work, and a collaborative workforce will be able to get things done with greater efficiency than one that is segmented.
Over 80 per cent of business people say technology is necessary to collaborate.
Collaboration? There’s an app for that
One of the best ways to encourage cooperation in your organisation is by providing the tools to do it. The Alfresco report shows that 83 per cent of respondents rely on technology to collaborate, but 59 per cent say their existing tools present challenges. Consequently, you need to implement a comprehensive software solution that utilises the cloud to let staff work together with ease and flexibility.
In the cloud, information is readily available and transferrable, meaning employees can access it anywhere and prevent important data from being lost in translation. In addition, this kind of platform also allows you to collaborate with your customers, enabling them to help themselves and reducing administration for your staff.
Overall, an end-to-end recruitment solution can boost collaboration, as well as business performance in general. So make an investment in your team and give them the tools to carry your business into the future.