Team Collaboration
How To Help Staff Connect, Encourage Ideas, And Move Work Forward
Share. Communicate. Innovate
Team collaboration is a prominent trait among today’s winning organizations. Done right, collaboration aids better decision-making, innovative thinking and improved productivity. Staff are happier, performance is boosted, and there’s less risk of error.
But many organizations have yet to figure out how to help colleagues work better together to achieve a common goal.
The good news is that there are tools and techniques that have proven to nurture a strong collaborative culture within the workplace.
Here, we shed light on the causes of poor collaboration, tips for improvement, and collaboration software that enables co-workers to share ideas and improve internal communications.
What Is Team Collaboration?
The definition of team collaboration is when two or more people work together to achieve a common goal. This is done through idea sharing, planning and executing in unison. In contrast to working on one’s own, team collaboration is regarded as a more productive way to get work done, and carries less risk.
Tackling a major project – such as a new product launch or the introduction of a new internal process – usually requires a teamwork approach. This entails bringing together a group of employees to allocate and complete tasks, within a set timeframe.
These days, with technology overcoming geographical barriers, virtual teams are popular. Companies are now appointing the best people for a project – regardless of their work location – to form part of a team and collaborate. This development has created new opportunities for businesses to innovate – but is not without its challenges.
Why Is Team Collaboration Critical In The 21st Century?
Never before has the workplace been so diverse. For the first time in history, five generations are working side-by-side. Each employee has a unique perspective. Their opinions are formed by their own personal experiences. And they have different communication styles – some prefer face-to-face, others the written word.
Such differences are a lot to manage, particularly when complex, project-based decisions must be made.
How a team interacts with each other will influence the final outcome. Communication, knowledge transfer and equal respect for each team member are essential for a high-performing team.
Younger generations joining the workforce are eager to further develop the collaborative skills they’ve learnt during education. They place place greater support on social tools for collaboration than their older colleagues (49 per cent millennials vs 31 per cent baby boomers). And considering that 46 per cent of 2020’s workforce are millennials (compared with 36 per cent six years ago), employers must act upon this growing generation’s preference for building team dynamics.
Furthermore, around 75% of employees now rate teamwork and collaboration as crucial to their performance.
Reasons For Poor Team Collaboration
It’s a common scenario when a collection of people come together to solve a problem, cross-functionally. There may be representatives in the room from IT, Sales, Product and Finance.
When collaboration fails, it’s often because these individuals partially listen to others points-of-view, but do not fully seek to understand what they were actually saying.
Each representative remains in their own paradigm rather than genuinely taking on board and seeking a solution based on other perspectives.
To counter this, effective collaboration requires recognition of diversity; that each individual has their own thought process and purpose. This requires greater understanding of the team individuals, and the concerns they may be feeling.
These could include the following:
- Skepticism about the success of the project i.e.‘doomed to fail’
- Uncertainty around who does what in the team, and where tasks and responsibilities sit
- Misinterpretation or miscommunication: wrongly assuming all staff have the same understanding
- Lack of direction, KPIs and milestones set out from the start
- Conflicting priorities: failing to appreciate an employee’s current workload before adding more
- Forcing staff to communicate in ways that may be uncomfortable for them i.e. introverted employees making team presentations
How To Improve Team Collaboration
Successful team collaboration is hard work. With so much to consider – silos, company culture, staff at different locations, leadership styles – good team collaboration doesn’t happen by accident.
Furthermore, Harvard Business Review has exposed an interesting paradox at play, based on its research into team behavior:
“Although teams that are large, virtual, diverse, and composed of highly educated specialists are increasingly crucial with challenging projects, those same four characteristics make it hard for teams to get anything done.
“To put it another way, the qualities required for success are the same qualities that undermine success. Members of complex teams are less likely to share knowledge freely, to learn from one another, to shift workloads flexibly to break up unexpected bottlenecks, to help one another complete jobs and meet deadlines, and to share resources.”
It also found that the higher the educational level of the team member, the more challenging collaboration appears for them.
But there are some best practices for building effective collaboration strategies, as follows:
Define And Repeatedly Communicate The Team’s Goals
This is the first step to bringing together a group of people. Goals should be reiterated at the start of daily huddles, referred to when key decisions are underway, and repeated across all communication channels (your intranet, for example).
Promote Open Communication Particularly When Faced With A Roadblock
This is where technology has become a game-changer. Instead of waiting for the next round-table meeting to overcome a roadblock, intranet tools such as forums, instant messaging, and shared files allow members of the same team to work through a problem collaboratively at pace.
Create Structure Within Meetings And Give Staff Time To Prepare
WIP (work-in-progress) meetings are an important part of effective project management. Ahead of each meeting, share agenda items, action lists and related reading material with all members of the team so there are no frustrating delays when teams meet.
Encourage Creativity And Free-thinking: All Ideas To Be Respected
Brainstorming sessions can be fun and fruitful. Team leaders must give advance warning though so staff can do their own research. And if you’re the manager, resist the urge to direct and jump in immediately with your ideas, as staff may feel obliged to follow.
Log Important Decisions And Their Backstory
Avoid the “he said/she said” nature of spontaneous conversations; make sure ideas are contextually documented in a central space, accessible for all, and not lost in the moment.
Invest in Collaboration Tools
Team collaboration tools have shown the way here. Employees can set up team channels where decisions can be made in real-time. Slack, the popular chat tool, has been joined by a host of other instant messaging tools, virtually eliminating the need for traditional email. Video conferencing, in the wake of Covid-19, has become the default meeting format. And forums are another effective channel for effective team collaboration.
Check For Understanding
Nodding heads does not necessarily mean agreement and understanding. Many co-workers won’t like to admit they don’t understand something. Reiterate major decisions – during and after meetings – providing clarity and an opportunity for others to ask further questions. Engage in two-way communication with all members when possible.
Create Ways For Less Outspoken Team Members To Contribute Ideas
Not everyone has public speaking skills. Shy people will not feel comfortable sharing their idea in a room full of colleagues, but may happily submit an idea via a forum or chat channel. Make it known that individual thinking is unique and valued, and that every team member should be able to communicate with equality and authority.
Share Experience, Knowledge And Resources
Use an intranet to capture treasured insights – physically and virtually with file-sharing software. This will save mistakes being repeated, and knowledge walking out the door when someone leaves. Don’t leave this to chance: embed a process for eliciting and storing this valuable intelligence as part of your regular WIP meetings. Add tags to meeting notes that can be searched for later on.
Acknowledge And Celebrate Individual And Team Success
Highlight individual qualities and the special skills that each team member brings to the table. Go big when a milestone or key task has been ticked off with a team building celebration event. This boosts morale and makes people feel valued.
Appoint Task And Relationship-Oriented Leaders
HBR research found that the most productive and innovative teams had leaders who could outline clear goals and responsibilities and easily switch to relationship-building mode i.e. smoothing out internal tensions.
Limit Group Sizes
Not always possible – particularly if you’re about to organize the next Olympics – but aim to keep teams small enough so that staff get to know (and respect) each other, and ideas exchange freely. Big teams tend to be more vulnerable to tunnel vision, or the ‘squeakiest wheel wins’.
❝
Collaborative teams are 5 x higher performing as they feel motivated towards a common goal
Source: i4cp
Team Collaboration Trends
Team Collaboration tools are evolving to suit the changing needs of businesses today.
Flexibility, scalability, and compatibility with existing systems increasingly matter. Because of this, enterprise players such as Cisco, Slack and Microsoft have no choice but to integrate with each other.
Some other noticeable trends in team collaboration include:
Artificial Intelligence
Machine learning tools and bots can help an entire team improve the way they collaborate by making it easier to find information instantly. They can also offer things like real-time translation and transcribing during video conferencing meetings.
Unique Experiences
As more technology vendors come to the integration and interoperability party, open-source platforms with the help of APIs are enabling employers to build their own collaboration experience, just right for their internal culture.
Love Of Video
This format’s popularity continues to rise, but so do expectations around its performance. With remote teams the new normal, businesses are relying more on video conferencing, which must be reliable, secure and consistent.
Team Collaboration Software
Creating a workplace using team collaboration software is a practical move that can really transform how you and your colleagues collaborate.
MyHub’s cloud-based intranet is designed specifically for organizations in search of an affordable and adaptable collaboration solution. It’s fully scalable, designed to support your company’s growth. And fully customizable, to meet your exact needs.
Combining a company internal newsfeed, instant messaging and secure cloud storage, MyHub is the perfect choice for your important projects-in-progress.
Whether you’re an IT pro or completely non-technical, MyHub’s cloud-hosted solution offers all the features and functionality you’ll ever need.
We’ve made it so that it’s super simple to set-up (no coding skills or IT experience required) – and is enjoyable to use!
Using simple drag-and-drop functionality, you can create a professional space for your team to start collaborating in minutes! Being cloud-hosted also means you’re future-proofing your investment: you get to benefit from our latest new features and enhancements as soon as they’re released.
Useful Team Collaboration Resources
Ergonomics In The Workplace – 36 Office Safety Tips
This article provides essential guidance for creating a safe and ergonomic office environment. It begins with key tips on setting up an ergonomic workstation to prevent discomfort and long-term health issues. Proper posture, chair adjustments, and screen positioning are discussed to help employees work efficiently without strain.
The article also highlights the importance of maintaining a hazard-free office. From keeping floors clear to ensuring emergency exits are accessible, it covers best practices for eliminating physical risks. The content emphasizes the role of employee responsibility in safety, including following no-smoking policies and keeping workspaces organized.
In addition, the article delves into how to perform assessments of office ergonomics and safety. It explains how businesses can use online tools and resources to conduct self-assessments, and how the intranet can play a central role in tracking safety training and compliance. By investing in these practices, employers can protect their workforce, reduce healthcare costs, and foster a healthier, more productive workplace.
13 Tips for Creating a Positive Work Culture
Perks like unlimited time off or free lunches might grab attention, but they aren’t what truly retain top talent. Instead, people seek workplaces that foster trust, open communication, and genuine support for personal and professional growth. A truly positive work culture is built on shared values, mutual respect, and a clear mission—qualities that drive connection, motivation, and long-term success more than surface-level benefits ever could.
A strong company culture directly impacts performance and well-being. When employees feel recognized, included, and aligned with their company’s goals, they’re more engaged, productive, and loyal. Practices such as transparent leadership, mental health support, clear career paths, and diversity initiatives create a safe, inspiring environment that fuels both individual fulfillment and business growth.
To build such a culture, leadership must embody core values and involve employees at all levels. This means actively listening, encouraging feedback, rewarding contributions, and staying adaptable in times of change. From defining a clear mission to organizing team-building activities, every effort should reinforce the workplace as a space where people feel seen, heard, and motivated to thrive together.
How Field Service Companies Tackle Challenges With An Intranet
Field service companies face unique challenges—from keeping remote teams informed to managing complex workflows in real time. A mobile-optimized intranet offers a powerful solution by connecting remote staff with critical information, streamlined processes, and company culture.
By providing centralized access to news, training, digital forms, and technical resources, the intranet empowers technicians to work smarter in the field. It also fosters two-way communication between teams and headquarters, ensuring everyone stays aligned and engaged—no matter where they are.
In addition to supporting daily operations, intranets help organizations stay compliant with regulatory standards through trackable training modules and targeted updates. For businesses juggling remote work, mobile teams, and evolving compliance needs, an intranet can be a true game-changer.
Amateur Sports Club Portal: Simplify Administration And Communication
Running an amateur sports club involves far more than just game day logistics. Behind every successful association is a team of dedicated volunteers juggling full-time jobs, families, and club responsibilities. Unfortunately, much of the club’s administration—like emails, meetings, and file sharing—is handled inefficiently, costing time and causing confusion. A sports club intranet portal offers a smarter way forward, centralizing communications, documents, and tools in one easy-to-use online platform.
A club portal functions as a private, cloud-based intranet that gives authorized members instant access to key features like news bulletins, calendars, document repositories, and knowledge hubs. It simplifies communication by streamlining announcements and updates, while document management ensures everyone can access the latest versions of forms, flyers, and codes of conduct without relying on a single admin. With integrated tools like Google Forms and Sheets, clubs can digitize and automate many of their most time-consuming tasks.
Beyond features, portals are surprisingly affordable and easy to set up—especially for nonprofits. Many cloud providers offer discounted rates, and the setup process is intuitive enough to get a club running within hours. With 24/7 mobile access, volunteers can contribute on their own time, whether that’s from the sidelines or during a coffee break. Overall, a club portal is not just a tool—it’s a game-changer for amateur sports clubs looking to improve efficiency and reclaim valuable time.
Recruitment Intranet: Streamline Processes
Recruitment agencies deal with a high volume of administrative tasks—from capturing vacancy details to scheduling interviews and managing reference checks. These processes are often paper-heavy and email-reliant, leading to inefficiencies, miscommunications, and costly errors. A recruitment intranet centralizes and automates these core workflows through customizable online forms, real-time document sharing, and smart integrations with tools like Google Workspace, reducing manual handling and streamlining operations from end to end.
Updating internal documents such as recruitment terms and conditions is another common pain point. Without a centralized system, it’s easy for consultants to access outdated information, which can result in financial losses and professional setbacks. With a recruitment intranet, collaboration on document revisions becomes seamless, version control is enforced automatically, and updates can be instantly shared company-wide through news feeds and internal alerts—ensuring everyone always works with the latest information.
Beyond process efficiency, a recruitment intranet enhances communication and strengthens company culture across multiple offices. Instead of relying on sporadic newsletters, agencies can share updates via a centralized news hub, keep everyone informed of key deadlines and events through a shared calendar, and foster better engagement and morale among teams. From smoother placements to smarter internal communication, a recruitment intranet transforms the way agencies operate—making them more agile, connected, and competitive.
Top 5 Security Risks for Your Hosted Intranet
Hosted intranet solutions are becoming increasingly popular among small and mid-sized businesses, offering a flexible and secure way to manage internal communication and data. While some may worry about cloud security, reputable providers often deliver stronger protections than in-house systems. The real vulnerabilities usually come from within—such as weak passwords, poor access control, and human error.
The article outlines five major intranet security risks: complacent users, rogue employees, outdated permissions, unsecured remote access, and unreliable infrastructure. Each risk includes actionable solutions, like enforcing SSL encryption, using tiered access, and conducting regular reviews of user permissions. Platforms like MyHub help address these challenges with built-in security features.
A hosted intranet also brings added benefits like cost savings, automatic updates, and expert IT support. While it involves trusting a third-party vendor, the trade-off is increased efficiency and peace of mind—especially for companies without dedicated IT resources.