3 Big Mistakes To Avoid If You Want To Successfully Use Collaboration Tools

Collaboration is crucial for your business to thrive. But implementing collaboration tools within any organization is not an easy task to do. Here are three typical mistakes made when imposing collaboration tools in a company and ways to avoid them:

1. Implementation

When you supply your company with new technology, help your employees understand why this change is occurring. If you point out all the solution’s benefits, your coworkers will be keen on accepting and using it. A recent study of U.S. based employers by Gagen MacDonald revealed that employees in companies which use internal social media (ISM) perceive their company as more innovative and 58% would prefer to work at a company that uses ISM and 86% would refer others for employment. People like technology as long as they understand why they should use it and how it can make their job easier. If necessary, take some time to train your employees on the use of software. Time lost on training sessions will be compensated on faster work performance with the use of collaborative tools.

2. Inconsistency

Collaborative platforms are often used to get feedback from clients and customers and analyze their answers. However, collaboration within a company is also important. And the easiest way to communicate and do the work together is through the collaboration software.

Employees should not see collaboration as something enforced into the company structure but as a tool to be more efficient and more productive. These days, a modern business organization cannot succeed without connecting its employees and its information. Collaboration platform should be commonly used in order to get instant access to all important information and to keep up with all the relevant updates. Employees should be aware that collaboration is there, for their own good. Everyone, even executives and managers should be willing participants, in collaborative behavior and embracing the technology tools. Company culture is not set by words, but by the actions of the founder.

3. Usage

Make sure all the possibilities of the software are being properly used. Choose a type of network, according to your needs and type of work, and make everyone sharing everything, even outside office.

Ideas, needs, and suggestions of everyone in the company can and must be shared and discussed on collaboration platform or company’s meetings. Instant messaging during working hours is not the most important feature of the software.  In addition, workers within a company can instantly divide tasks, conduct discussions, share updates, review checklists and obtain approvals by their superiors.  The platform’s tagging, searching and messaging features make it easier to ask for help, locate documents that can be reused and share best practices. TallyFox Cluster enables you to set up your own group of people or “Cluster” and do all this. Clusters can become parts of Knowledge Networks, some of which have over 10 000 members and share your company experience with other experts. Make your employees aware of all the possibilities and benefits of using all software features.

Collaboration tools are made to enhance any business. When implemented, collaboration should be used at all company levels, including the management and all the benefits and traits of collaborative tools should be explored and used.

Damian Wolf is an entrepreneur and business consultant with focus on helping businesses to reach targeted market and grow. Currently, he is a part of marketing team at TallyFox business collaboration software company and enjoys in working on worldwide projects. Damian is also a passionate writer, father and bellowed husband.