If you were to survey your employees about aspects of their jobs that could be improved, you’d likely find better collaboration tools and meetings at the top of the list. In fact, in a PwC survey, 73% of respondents said they know of systems that would help them produce higher quality work.

While employees don’t always think executives listen to their concerns, that’s not often the source of collaboration problems. As your company grows, you’ve had to assemble your tech stack on the fly — trying your best to provide the tools employees need while staying focused on the company’s larger goals.

But eventually, you get to the point where your tech stack starts having a cumulative effect on productivity, whether for better or worse. In this article, we’ll consider some factors that can hinder or help your utilization of collaboration tools.

Under-utilization Leads to Fragmentation

The problem with collaboration tools not being used to their full potential is that it can lead to fragmentation. When employees don’t have the same tools, it becomes difficult for them to communicate and collaborate effectively. In some cases, this can even lead to employees working on different parts of the same project without realizing it.

Nowadays, there are many collaboration services available that can help your team work more effectively. These services can provide a common platform for employees to share files, communicate, and collaborate on projects. By leveraging a collaboration service, you can ensure that your team is using the same tools and is working together towards a common goal.

Choosing a collaboration service isn’t as simple as using a product the technical team finds appealing. It’s crucial to leverage data, employee input, and company goals to ensure you’re committing to the right platform.

1. Define your needs. To select the ideal collaboration service, you must first decide what you want it to do for your team. During the selection process, employee feedback is critical. Is executive opinion aligned with what employees actually need? From there, you can ask questions about your technical needs. Are you looking for something that will allow employees to share files and communicate easily, or are you looking for a service that facilitates meetings and client communication? You may also need a service that provides an all-in-one solution. Getting clarity on your actual needs will help you use your budget more effectively.
2. Research and test different services. There are many services available today, so it’s important to find one that fits your needs. In your previous analysis, you may discover that your team only lacks a rock-solid communication app. With that knowledge, you may decide to use a niche app that does the job superbly. However, it’s good to keep in mind that the biggest collaboration boosts will come from tools that allow you to do many jobs within the same ecosystem. So, while your needs today may not be as intensive, you may opt to choose your tools planning for future growth. Some popular communication apps include Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom.
3. Deploy the collaboration service. Often, deployment can be the most challenging step since it requires training, technical capabilities, and administrative management. A solid transition plan will ensure that collaboration services are deployed uniformly across departments. Additionally, instituting a regular training program will help employees make the switch faster, increasing adoption rates.

Implementing new technology can be a phase that employees dread or are excited about. Much of their feelings will depend on the groundwork you do to get buy-in from your team. You can generate excitement by including your team in the decision-making process — clearly articulating why you’re making the change and providing training. When your team is excited about the change, you’ll have the momentum you need for successful integration.

Facilitate Deployment with a Collaboration Services Partner

Many businesses hit a roadblock when they get to deployment. Their team is excited about migrating to tools that provide a holistic collaboration experience. But they lack the technical expertise and migration experience to get started. If you feel stymied by the prospect of migrating your tools, we can help.

OneNeck offers managed collaboration services that give you the tools you need without the technical headache. We partner with companies like Cisco and Microsoft to provide complete solutions that cover the A to Z of your collaboration needs. And if you’re looking for something more streamlined, we can adapt our solutions to fit your needs. Contact us to learn more.