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
Intranet Solution For Game Developers: The Easy Choice
The blog post highlights the increasing need for operational efficiency in the competitive game development industry. While developers naturally focus on creativity and coding, poor communication or disorganized workflows can hinder success. A cloud-based intranet offers a powerful solution—supporting flexible, remote work and consolidating all project files, communication threads, and assets into one centralized system.
Collaboration is at the core of modern game development. Whether it’s working with freelance designers or audio engineers, managing feedback loops and staying organized can be overwhelming across multiple tools. The intranet simplifies this by offering project-specific workspaces, real-time editing with tools like G Suite and Microsoft 365, and seamless file-sharing—all in one digital hub. This allows for faster progress and less confusion.
Finally, the post emphasizes how a scalable cloud intranet future-proofs your studio. SaaS pricing makes it accessible for indie developers while offering room to grow. With instant setup, predictable costs, and no technical overhead, it’s an ideal business infrastructure choice for any game developer wanting to stay focused on building great games—without compromising on organization or growth potential.
Mental Health At Work: Why Employee Wellness Is Important
Mental health in the workplace is a critical issue that can have a profound impact on productivity, absenteeism, and overall company culture. Studies show that depression alone costs the US economy over $91 billion annually in lost productivity, and issues like anxiety and burnout can further elevate these costs. Mental health challenges are just as serious as physical health concerns, yet employees often face stigma or lack of understanding when it comes to seeking help. Employers have a vital role in addressing mental health by promoting a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their struggles.
Creating a workplace culture that prioritizes mental health involves removing stigma, fostering open communication, and supporting a healthy work-life balance. Employers can empower managers with the right tools to recognize and manage mental health issues, and encourage employees to disconnect from work outside office hours. A healthy work-life balance, where employees are encouraged to take time off when needed, is crucial in preventing burnout and maintaining overall well-being.
To further support mental health, employers can utilize internal resources like intranet portals to share wellness information, provide mental health tools, and ensure employees have access to necessary resources. These initiatives not only improve individual health but contribute to a more engaged and productive workforce. By prioritizing employee wellness, businesses can create an inclusive, supportive workplace that helps employees thrive while boosting company success.
Startup Intranets: Six Reasons Why Your Company Needs One
Many startups might think that an intranet is a luxury reserved for large corporations, but the truth is, a cloud-based intranet can provide startups with a competitive advantage from day one. By streamlining communication, managing information, and offering seamless integration with tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Office 365, an intranet helps startups stay organized and efficient. It provides a single platform for collaboration, making it easy for remote workers to stay connected and for information to be shared across the team in real-time.
An intranet also offers invaluable benefits beyond organization. By providing 24/7 access, the cloud-based platform ensures that startup founders and employees can stay on top of tasks and updates from anywhere, whether they’re working from home, a coffee shop, or traveling. Additionally, having an intranet in place signals professionalism to potential investors and new hires, boosting confidence in the company’s long-term viability and organizational structure.
The flexibility of a startup intranet is another key advantage. It can scale alongside the business, adding new pages, modules, or functionalities as needed. This adaptability, combined with cost-effective monthly subscriptions, ensures that the intranet grows with your startup without unforeseen costs. By establishing efficient communication and collaboration from the outset, a startup intranet helps foster a strong company culture, setting the foundation for future success.
Connecting Logistics Staff With A Company Intranet
Logistics companies are essential to the US economy, managing the transportation and warehousing of goods. With large teams often working remotely, staying connected to headquarters is vital. A mobile-optimized company intranet offers a powerful solution, allowing remote workers to access important updates, job schedules, and safety bulletins from anywhere. This seamless connection helps reduce isolation and enhances communication between employees in the field and head office.
In addition to improving connectivity, a company intranet offers significant benefits for logistics operations. It supports real-time reporting, allowing personnel to share updates on deliveries, freight volumes, and schedules instantly. The cloud-based platform integrates Google Apps and offers self-service features, such as filing maintenance requests or completing forms, streamlining business processes and saving time. This makes the intranet an invaluable tool for improving efficiency and reducing reliance on outdated paper or email systems.
The intranet also provides a platform for employee development, offering remote training options to staff without requiring them to leave their jobs. Employees can access training materials at their convenience, saving the company money on travel and venue costs. The self-service features further empower employees, reducing the workload of head office staff and enabling more focus on core business activities. Ultimately, a mobile company intranet offers a comprehensive solution for connecting remote workers and enhancing operational efficiency.
20 Tips To Improve Communi-
cations In The Workplace
Effective workplace communication remains one of the most important—and most challenging—aspects of organizational success. While technology continues to offer new tools, the human element, such as active listening and face-to-face meetings, still plays a crucial role. The article begins by highlighting how businesses can benefit from a communication audit to understand what channels are currently used and where improvements can be made.
The post dives into 20 practical tips that cover every angle of internal communication—from using mobile-friendly intranet software to establishing regular one-on-one meetings. It also emphasizes the importance of two-way communication, where employee feedback is valued and encouraged. Organizations are encouraged to develop a communications strategy, train managers in essential communication skills, and design office layouts that promote collaboration.
Throughout the article, real-world case studies from companies like Kenect Recruitment and Idaho State Lottery demonstrate how implementing the right tools and strategies can drastically improve communication across all levels of the business. Whether you’re leading a remote team or trying to break down silos between departments, these tips provide a comprehensive roadmap for turning communication challenges into opportunities for growth.
10 Powerful Leadership Tips to Keep Your Skills Sharp
Are leaders born or made? While some individuals naturally embody leadership traits like courage, empathy, and decisiveness, leadership is also a skill that can—and should—be continuously developed. Even the most experienced leaders must evolve in order to stay effective in today’s dynamic work environments. This blog post begins by outlining five core leadership competencies: honesty and integrity, effective communication, leading by example, decisiveness with flexibility, and empowering through delegation.
Building on this foundation, the post presents ten actionable tips to help leaders of all levels grow. From finding a mentor and enhancing project management abilities to prioritizing employee engagement and encouraging team-wide contributions, these strategies promote personal and organizational success. Leaders are also encouraged to seek feedback, stay visible, and not shy away from asking for help—reminders that even strong leadership can be humble and collaborative.
The article concludes with a strong call to action: to embrace leadership as a continuous journey. It highlights how tools like MyHub’s intranet platform can support leadership efforts by enhancing communication, collaboration, and engagement. Ultimately, staying sharp as a leader is less about perfection and more about consistent, intentional growth.