Remote Collaboration

Collaboration should be a Key Performance Indicator

A recent study by Frost and Sullivan of global organisations showed that their ability to effectively collaborate internally across their business is directly related to their success. In fact, it found that collaboration is twice as important as strategic orientation in driving high performance results.

Collaboration is not what most global orgaisations are used to. They are normally structured to bring together all the resources required within one business unit that is directly or indirectly in competition with other business units. The new, interconnected world is creating new opportunities that the successful are exploiting.

The golobal financial storm is threatening existing ways of working. Some organisations will retrench to old ways but those that keep minds open and take advantage of flexible working may boost revenues in the tough times and build collaborative relationships that create major gains as more benign times return.

Trying to change practices overnight is a recipe for disaster

Effective remote collaboration necessitates a change of culture in most organisations. The approaches of manager and employee to how work is structures and monitored need to be revised. New mindsets and working practices must be developed in line with the adoption of appropriate technologies. A facilitated pilot programme is the best way to inculcate new attitudes and behaviours. Unless the organisation, from the top, believes in flexible working the necessary focus on trusting relationships will be missing.

Doing nothing is not a long-term option

Demographic shifts in all societies mean that there will be a rapid downward shift in the average age of employees. Generation Y, the twenty somethings, will quickly become the powerhouse of the corporation. These people are used to flexible, multi-tasking, highly connected ways of working. If organisations are going to attract and make full use of Generation Y creativity working patterns and structured will have to evolve - and quickly.