The modern workforce has shifted significantly over the past decade. Previously, employees commuted to physical offices where they worked in person. More recently, many positions transformed into work-from-home opportunities that allow employees to work from almost anywhere with internet access.
Remote work comes with its own challenges, like encouraging collaboration and securing staff productivity. Collaboration tools for improved productivity and teamwork provide fantastic opportunities to streamline the remote experience.
What Are Collaboration Tools?
Collaboration tools are digital tools that enhance and simplify interactions between team members. If a business in Colorado wants to hire experienced talent from Florida and Maine, effective collaboration tools can connect remote employees.
Tools like video conference software, virtual whiteboards, and file-sharing tools facilitate consistent interaction, organized operations, and convenient communication among each team member regardless of location.
All the team needs is a solid internet connection, a computer or similar device, and a conducive atmosphere to facilitate their focus. A multi-faceted collaboration tool that allows file sharing, video conferencing, note drafting on different projects, and project planning. It has an intuitive interface that encourages organization and use.
One case study available on ScienceDirect outlined the variation among popular collaboration packages, including:
- Collaboration tools: a tool designed with one feature upon which the tool optimizes and perfects for user experience
- Collaboration suites: a bundle of applications working together cohesively
- Collaboration applications: a single, streamlined system with numerous features that stands alone from other tools, suites, and applications
Benefits of Collaboration Tools for Productivity and Teamwork
Collaboration tools offer many benefits, including:
- Saved money: One study by Deloitte showed that better collaboration could increase sales by up to 27%.
- Better communication and morale: Collaboration in the workplace has shown a 17% increase in employee satisfaction.
- Improved efficiency: Collaborative employees are 50% more efficient at completing tasks.
The boost in productivity depends on the collaboration product used. If a company has a large remote staff with members who perform specific tasks, it may benefit from suites that connect all people regardless of their responsibilities. Smaller teams could benefit from applications that keep their work and communications in one place accessible to all. Teams of just one or two other people can utilize one or a few collaboration tools.
How to Integrate Collaboration Tools into Business Workflow
The key to improving productivity with any collaboration tool is considering the team’s size and needs. Companies should also prepare to evolve their approach and select new tools that accommodate the business’s growth and operational needs.
Answer the following questions based on current collaborative efforts to see what tools could benefit
- What features would improve the way we operate?
- What products best fit our budget and staff size?
- Is my team more comfortable with more rudimentary or advanced technology?
- Will we need other tools to meet other operational ends?
If a team needs video conferencing capabilities coupled with an interface that centers creativity, they could combine Zoom or Skype with an application like Clickup. A larger team of 15 or more people might benefit from Google Suite or Microsoft Suite.
Collaboration tools for improved productivity and teamwork can take remote staff to the next level.
