“There is no “I” in team.” We’ve all heard this quote so many times that it has become smarmy.
But there is truth in this saying. Without teamwork and coordination, nothing will ever be done.That is why it is vital to promote cross-department collaboration within the workplace. With it, you and your co-workers will become even more productive.
So how do you ensure successful interdepartmental collaboration? Here are some tips and tricks to facilitate interdepartmental cooperation that you could use in your home-based job.
Develop a Collaborative Culture in the Workplace.
The first step to promote cross-department collaboration is to establish a culture of collaboration within the workplace. A collaborative culture is where employee skills are honed and rewarded via teamwork and cooperation.
Here, employees and supervisors don’t just collaborate from time to time, but do so regularly. In this kind of workplace, employees can use the company’s existing base to be more productive and efficient at work.
Another benefit of having a collaborative culture is it improves employee retention. After all, employees are more likely to stay and be productive in a workplace that fosters camaraderie and rewards both personal and group achievements.
Set Clear and Quantifiable Goals.
An essential part of a successful cross-department collaboration is setting clear and quantifiable goals for everyone to follow. Having these ensures everyone is focused on the task at hand instead of fumbling around in confusion.
When setting your goals for a specific task, such as a promotional event for a new product, ensure that they’re clear and achievable. Include the input from other department leaders as well, so that everyone’s on the same page. And tie these goals together into the company’s larger goals.
Be Aware of Everyone’s Strengths and Weaknesses.
To achieve the goals you have set, you will need to select the right people for the job.
And the best way to do that is by knowing everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. Not just in your team, mind you, but from other departments too. For example, if you’re not good at producing write-ups, why not request help from the marketing department’s content writers?
Or what if you need someone to host an online company event, but none of your team members are excellent speakers? Well, there’s probably someone from a different department capable of becoming an MC for the event. Just ask and coordinate with them.
Regularly Communicate With Your Teammates and Other Departments.
Effective communication is vital if you want to promote cross-department collaboration. With it, you and your teammates can remain updated with the latest information regarding the project you’re working on.
The advent of remote working has made communication between you, your teammates, and the other departments more convenient. Now, you have communication apps like Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Skype, etc., which you can use for hosting meetings or privately messaging your co-workers.
Be Receptive to Criticism and Feedback.
Nobody’s perfect, and even the most well-oiled machine can run into issues once in a while. So when you’re faced with criticism from your group or other departments, don’t instantly go on the defensive.
Instead, treat these as learning experiences so you can do better next time. Listen to what they have to say first and try to see things from their perspective. Their recommendations could help you improve future collaborations.
Foster Trust.
Like any relationship, trust is vital to cross-department cooperation. Practicing transparency and keeping your word will make it easier for everyone to work together in the future.
If you promised the marketing department that you’ll have all the data they need for an upcoming promotion on Monday, follow through on your promise. Failure to do so may make you seem unreliable to them, which can lead to them asking someone else next time.
Celebrate the Little Victories.
Celebrations aren’t just for significant milestones. Even something as simple as the successful completion of one milestone is worthy of praise. These incentivize employees to continue doing cross-department collaborations.
Even if the project didn’t turn out well, the fact that you all put in effort for it deserves recognition. You can use this failure as a lesson on what you all need to improve and what you did right and should maintain.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.
Cross-department collaboration isn’t easy; it requires plenty of trial and error and is very stressful. However, if you and your co-workers continue honing your collaboration skills, you will soon see positive results.
If you’re looking for online jobs that promote cross-department collaboration, head to Remote Staff. Our job portal has multiple openings available for you to choose from. And is updated regularly with new opportunities when they appear. Good luck!
