To prevent the spread of COVID-19, many traditional office workers are now working from home. While remote working is nothing new — in February 2020, 4.7 million Americans, or 3.4% of the population, worked remotely — the speed at which it was forced upon organizations left many questions dangling regarding best practices for interaction with colleagues and customers.
With the conference room no longer an option, executive leaders need to determine how they want their employees to work together in a virtual environment rather than letting that decision fall into the hands of individuals.
Collaboration software, like Zoom, Slack and Microsoft Teams, let employees be as “real-time” as possible when not in the office. There are numerous and growing options available for consideration at various price points, and each with their own pros and cons. The important thing to remember is that there is no “one size fits all” option when it comes to collaboration tools, and what works for one company, might not be the right fit for another.
Like any enterprise software, collaboration tools can be a major investment of both time and money, so the trial and error method is not typically the best approach.
Once a tool is selected, enterprise-wide adoption is critical for long-term success. Two important factors to consider:
- Training: A strong training plan includes an analysis of the intended users, relevant and meaningful content, a delivery method that encompasses a variety of learning styles, and frequent training sessions. Proper training can help with adoption and guide employees to use the tool in the correct manner, which goes a long way when everyone is working remotely.
- Governance: A good governance plan includes considerations for who can access what content, the structure for groups, and acceptable usage policy. Governance ensures that the user experience remains positive and that organizational assets are used appropriately across the organization.
Hartman offers software selection services to advise key decision makers throughout this complex process. Our focused and organized approach ensures that software both aligns with your goals, and that vendors and products are sufficiently vetted and tested before consideration. Our independence is key when it comes to software evaluation and selection. Hartman does not sell or profit from any technology solution, so our clients trust that the advice and guidance they receive is always in their best interest.
Visit our website to learn more about software evaluation and selection services or reach out today to discuss what you’ve been using so far and any concerns you have moving forward.
