Amid the latest COVID-19 outbreak, remote work has been an accustomed undertaking for a growing number of companies worldwide. Thanks to the advancement of technology, most businesses have followed suit, posing the question: can we really collaborate in a work-from-home setup?
Remote virtual collaboration happens in just about every organization, but not every company has a collaborative culture. When we consistently and purposely use these specific tools to communicate, we become aware of what makes us a part of this process.
The culture of collaboration is a unifying influence, and that is what most of us want out of work. A culture baked into practices on how people do their work every day and getting things done even in a remote kind of setting. Here at Omni, being able to boost productivity relies on how we strategize collaboration effectively in our digital workspace.
1. Establish the blueprint of setting goals
The roles of each team member should be entrenched and understood by everyone. Knowing that a work-from-home setup might impede the communication process, both the superior and subordinate should understand what’s expected of them. When you set a goal, you need to make sure that it meets the criteria to eliminate work redundancies and inefficiencies. Any objective should be attainable, time-bound, and measurable. This will save your team members the hassle of having to learn roles and responsibilities among themselves and reduce the likelihood that team members will work unnecessarily.
The best way for team leaders to establish their members’ roles in the digital workplace is to streamline and promote team collaboration using the RACI matrix, which stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed matrix. This chart maps out every function, milestone, or critical decision involved in completing specific projects and determines which roles are responsible for each action item.
2. Use digital tools for unified communication
Investing in high-quality digital tools is the best strategy to promote collaboration and boost productivity in the company. The abundance of these tools in the market makes it easier than ever for team members to enjoy and encourage a collaborative culture. 
These allow everyone to work faster and effectively in ways they couldn’t have before. Omni’s main communication applications, such as Zoom, Slack, and Monday.com, empower team members to sync up with colleagues and clients, stay on top of their game, and make use of the company’s resources wherever they are.
3. Highlight your team members’ strengths
When members feel a strong sense of importance within the organization, they’ll be more proactive and eager to share ideas with everyone else. They will take on the initiative to complete projects they know they will succeed. Team members who feel that their job function bears no significant connection to what they’re good at will find it challenging to stay inspired and motivated.
Having your team members focus on their strengths will encourage them to feel greater fulfillment and self-awareness, allowing them to figure out how their abilities complement each other. Team members will also know whom to turn to when they need training in a specific area, thereby creating more opportunities for fruitful collaboration.
4. Initiate events that boost sociability
It would be easier to collaborate when there are events to boost sociability among team members. Omni has been organizing several workshops, seminars, and team-building events in the past year. Employee engagement activities such as Game Day Fridays, Daily Q&A polls, and peer counseling sessions are also scheduled to ensure that even in a work-from-home setup, the culture of collaboration is practiced, and every team member is involved.
These initiatives play a significant role in giving team members an icebreaker to relax and recharge. Having fun at work breeds creativity, making team members enthusiastic and productive. The goal is to give team members time and space to breathe and establish a community that promotes work-life harmony and camaraderie among colleagues.
5. Accommodate different collaboration styles
Just as each personality and skill sets differ, so too do their preferred remote collaboration styles. Every team member is different, so their communication with colleagues, clients, and team leads will not be the same as others. Each has a strategy to promote collaboration in their team.
Some team members are not inclined to do remote video conferencing, while others appreciate delegating tasks and expounding them remotely. Understanding your team’s preferred way of collaborating is a factor in improving productivity. Team Leads should work with their team members and get insights to identify the best approach for them and be flexible enough to accommodate what would work best for their team.
Creating an environment that instills the worth of virtual collaboration and creativity in the workplace is not just about keeping your employees happy. It’s also giving your company assurance that with the collective effort of team members, the organization can achieve success.
Developing a culture of collaboration, especially in a remote work setup, is no mean feat. There will be barriers that could stand along the way. Implementing the right combination of these strategies will determine your success in breaking these barriers. These will ultimately help you make remote collaboration something that comes as second nature to the entire organization.
Here at Omni Channel Solutions, we value the fundamental nature of this type of culture, where mutual trust and respect exist, and lapses are seen as learnings rather than non-negotiable errors. At its core, Omni values the idea that collective intelligence drives the most creative solutions. Talk to us and experience the collaborative culture of Omni.
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