Communication between teams is crucial to create good collaboration and make sure effective work is done. Business leaders should do all in their power to enable that good communication across multiple branches and offices. There are many ways to do this, and management should lead by example.
Business leaders should take a holistic approach to communication across branches and teams. They should consider the bigger picture for the business and consider all areas of their organisation. This article will explore some of the most effective ways to improve communication between staff in multiple locations.
Choose One Central Communication Platform
Often business leaders are tempted to try out multiple communication platforms for various uses. This can lead to an excessive number of communication tools which can, in turn, lead to poor communication.
It is best to choose one platform and make sure that all teams in the business use it. For instance, communication platforms like Slack allow direct messaging between individuals as well as group communications. This can be a great way to ensure communication and avoid having too many platforms for staff to choose from.
Create A Feedback Culture
Feedback is crucial to help staff and management improve and progress. All people in a business can benefit from feedback, from entry-level staff to CEOs. Creating a culture of feedback can guarantee that this powerful tool is utilised often. After completing projects, it is a good idea to host a meeting to assess how the project went, what could be improved on and what was successful.
Business leaders should single out employees who have done good work and praise them in front of others. If providing feedback on how individual employees could improve, it is best to do so in private. Leaders should avoid criticising employees in front of their peers as this can lead to mistrust in management.
Utilise Video Conferencing Technology
When ensuring communication between teams in multiple locations, it can be beneficial to use video conferencing technology. This allows teams to communicate in real-time where face to face time isn’t achievable. It may help to implement weekly cross-team video conferences to ensure that everyone can discuss the company goals and projects and ensure they are all on the same page.
Use Cloud Storage
Cloud storage can be an excellent way to ensure that all teams have the documents and information they need to do their work correctly. This can be particularly beneficial if your business deals with a lot of paperwork. Business leaders should make sure that teams scan all hard copies to upload to the cloud, allowing staff in all locations access. Management should ensure that the cloud storage they use is appropriate, offers all the services they need and can easily host the amount of documentation they use.
Set Company-Wide Goals
Having company-wide goals can be a great way to guarantee that all team members are working on the same page. Business leaders should be clear in their plans for the business and take the time to update all employees on what these goals are regularly.
Having clear, bigger-picture goals to work towards can help employees feel more confident in their roles and check that they know what they need to do to contribute to the company’s success. When discussing the company goals, business leaders should highlight the importance of communication.
Make Files Easy To Share
In addition to cloud storage, the documents your business uses should be easy to share. Sometimes employees will need to share documents via email or through communications platforms, so they must know how to make larger documents more manageable to work with. Adobe offers excellent guides to help users learn how to compress a PDF file which can be invaluable for employees who need to share documents regularly. Business leaders should teach their staff to understand the ways to turn larger documents into more manageable sizes.
Host Social Activities Outside Work
Ensuring your employees can connect outside of work is a great way to help foster stronger workplace bonds. The more comfortable employees feel with one another, the more likely they are to reach out at work when they need help or information. Business leaders should consider hosting regular social events such as drinks after work on Fridays, company retreats and business lunches.
Team lunches can be a great way to fit socialising into the typical working day. If your offices are spread across a larger area, leaders should consider hosting quarterly get-togethers for meals or team-building exercises. Leaders could also encourage staff to create company-wide clubs or societies so that employees with similar interests can bond outside of work.
Lead By Example
Business leaders should show their staff a good example by acting in the way they expect their staff to behave. A good way to show your commitment to creating a healthy communication culture at work can be to have an open-door policy. This allows employees face time with management to air concerns or offer suggestions.
Use Project Management Tools
Project management tools can be an excellent way to keep track of the various work and projects being done at any given time. It can also be an excellent way for employees to track their own work and identify who they need to collaborate with to get their job done. Business leaders should look into the various available tools and ensure that the one they choose will be beneficial for the type of work their business carries out.
Reward Collaboration
Rewarding good collaboration and communication can be a great way to encourage the behaviours you want to see in a business. Reward systems can be implemented that allow employees to give points to other employees when they help them out or do good work. Over time these points can be built up and redeemed by the employee into rewards such as vouchers or gifts. This can be an excellent way to encourage collaboration between employees and help staff feel valued.
Choose The Right Leaders
The leaders in a business make all the difference in ensuring a healthy culture of communication. When hiring or promoting employees to leadership roles, choosing people who make effective communication a priority is crucial. Interview processes should include questions about communication style and how a prospective leader will boost communication across various teams.
Hire The Best People
Hiring the right employees, to begin with, can make a huge difference in ensuring effective collaboration. Business leaders should make their company attractive to the best talent by offering a competitive salary, attractive conditions and a positive work environment. There should also be clear progression paths for employees of every level.
Final Thoughts
Ensuring effective communication across multiple branches can be a real challenge for business leaders. It is crucial to confirm that all areas of the business are considered and that employees have the tools and knowledge they need to communicate effectively. Encouraging healthy social interactions among employees can also be invaluable.
Management should lead by example and show junior staff the type of behaviours they expect to see. Offering employees training in communication can also be an excellent way to improve collaboration across the board.
