Digital collaboration: how to use modern collaboration for the success of your teams
Optimizing processes is a challenge for every organization. Improved communication, more efficient work on joint projects or the successful integration of external partners are typical problems. The current coronavirus crisis has exacerbated these challenges. Companies that have made little progress with digitalization have had major difficulties, as they were poorly positioned for efficient digital collaboration from the home office.
As a result, the topic of digitalization and the associated digital collaboration of employees has once again become a focus in many companies.
What are the benefits of digital collaboration?
Digital collaboration means working together on projects using digital solutions. It enables teams of different sizes to discuss issues, exchange ideas and assign tasks without being in the same place. Hardware gives all team members access to collaboration tools, which are used to organize all processes.
Used correctly, digital collaboration creates new opportunities and offers numerous advantages, such as
- Fast & transparent communication
- Simplified information and data exchange
- Increasing efficiency and productivity
- Increased satisfaction through location and time-independent working
In many companies, email is still the primary way of exchanging information and data. Originally developed as a replacement for letters and faxes, it is not very practical for most tasks. While email is like correspondence, chat programs such as Slack or Skype are perceived as short conversations with colleagues. The tools enable communication in real time, through chat or video telephony functions, and they also simplify the exchange of data. This significantly speeds up communication.
Tip: When looking for the right tool for your company, it can be helpful to take a look at the online gaming scene. It is a pioneer in terms of digital collaboration and communication tools were developed early on for intensive exchange during gaming, which are also suitable for work in business organizations.
Cloud services such as Google Drive or Dropbox offer centralized access to information and data. This makes data silos a thing of the past. Documents can be accessed by any employee from any location and can be edited simultaneously by all employees.
Team work can be increased efficiently using project management tools. Projects are divided into individual tasks and assigned to employees. Questions or updates on the current status are commented on task-related in the tool. This keeps all team members up to date on the project status at all times. Projects can be managed more easily and workflows optimized accordingly. The workload of team members can be seen at a glance. If individual members are overloaded, tasks are redistributed. This avoids stress and dissatisfaction.
Digital solutions promote the modern approaches of New Work. Working models such as working from home or connecting team members in remote work are easily possible thanks to digital collaboration and create additional flexibility.
Challenges of digital collaboration & how they can be mastered
The success of a change in corporate culture depends on the willingness of all employees and decision-makers to create structural foundations, establish new processes and integrate them into daily work.
Impart knowledge
Changing the corporate culture requires employees with a high level of application competence. To achieve this, companies have the task of providing their employees with the necessary knowledge. New processes are introduced through further training and employees are trained in the use of new applications. By providing sufficient room for development, employees are encouraged to embrace change and pass on their knowledge.
Employees have no choice but to embrace the new culture and live it every day. In addition to the ability to work in a team, this also requires a high willingness to learn in order to quickly become confident in dealing with new technology and collaboration tools.
Provide hardware & software
To ensure successful digital collaboration throughout the company, hardware and software must be provided and used across the board. With laptops, tablets and smartphones, employees are equipped to work from anywhere and at any time.
Conference technology and smartboards make it easy for teams to work together from different locations. Access to collaboration tools is possible via modern technology. A wide range of free software is available for small companies and teams. Enterprise solutions combine the functions of several tools and simplify integration.
Data protection & security
The increasing exchange of information and data by digital means also increases the requirements for security and data protection. This entails corresponding investment costs for the company, for example in the server structure and secure access to the company network for all employees.
How Lendis supports you in the digital collaboration of your employees
With Lendis, companies can equip their offices and employees with future-proof electronics and software, creating the conditions for successful digital collaboration. The desired products are rented at affordable monthly rates, avoiding high one-off payments. Thanks to renting your office equipment, your company remains flexible at all times. You can always react to current needs and only pay for the equipment you actually use. This reduces expenditure to a minimum.
The range of hardware includes high-quality conference technology and smartboards, as well as modern laptops, tablets and smartphones. Customers who rent laptops, tablets or smartphones automatically receive the latest model for the rented devices at the end of the rental period, after 24 months at the latest.
Positioning the company for the future
Companies should take the current situation as an opportunity to establish digital collaboration. This requires a rethink among decision-makers and employees in order to enable new forms of collaboration. Hardware and software solutions, which can be procured flexibly via the Lendis rental model, provide the necessary tools for this. However, they are no substitute for the willingness of the people involved to bring about a cultural change.
The transformation of business processes to digital collaboration is rarely seamless. Rather, it is a lengthy process that must be continuously lived, developed and adapted to the respective organization. Companies that drive this transformation forward today will emerge stronger in the long term.