- A Note From Anne
- Collaboration
Please add Info@StrategizeAndOrganize.com to your whitelist or address book in your e-mail program, so that you have no trouble receiving future issues!
|
|
Hello!
 I've worked with two companies lately where the idea of collaborating their workspace of information is finally coming together with a solution. They didn't realize the word for what they wanted was collaboration; however, upon working with me they realized that's exactly what they needed.
Even in small offices, you may talk to each other all day long and feel you have a handle on what's going on. However, when it comes to all of your projects, too many times details are missed because information is not shared. You may start thinking, "What's wrong with our teamwork?"
The solution is actually pretty simple, as I pointed out to my two clients. Hopefully, you will find it simple as well. As every work environment is different, adapt these steps to your situation.
All my best,
|
|
Can you Accommodate enough to Collaborate?
Define the Process
Write out what the process is from beginning to end. Include all the details, ie., review email, download attachment of contract, make a pdf copy of a signed contact, etc.
 Set Up Roles Identify who's doing what. Very clearly, like you would a job description (If you don't have job descriptions in place, then we have a whole other article -- and consulting project!). Roles will help define the tasks in the process and this step is where you can refine the process with checks in place for quality control.
Examples of roles:
- Manager, schedule the projects, deal with the customers, the driving emoticon
- Project lead, check data, coordinate the collaboration, the compliant
- Administrators, design and update, the follow up, the input, the stabilizer
As you can see the roles will create the workflow for your processes. You'll have a streamlined organized process with accountability points.
Keep Files on a Shared Workspace
This is an area where you need to think about security upfront as well as to correlate accessibility based on the role the person has (ie., read only access for some). Too many times, people work on projects together and spend hours developing financial models or marketing plans and save the whole thing to their individual hard drive. This control makes it very difficult to work together as a team since the information is not accessible for all. It's fine to keep documents on your hard drive for testing, but for practicality, shared workspaces make it easier in today's faster pace environment to keep information accessible, retrievable and editable by all team members.
 Set Up AccountabilityEveryone needs to be accountable. By setting up within your task management system when tasks are due, setting benchmarks and deadlines, you can help ensure the completion of your projects and accommodate everyone's needs.
Keep in mind that a successfully implemented collaborative workspace will create a work environment that everyone appreciates and will support for your common goals. It's a process and takes time. All you need to do today is make the decision that you want to make the change. Then ask for help to work on implementing a system. You can then work on it a little each day, and keep moving forward with that goal of continued improvement in mind. |
|
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Productivty Trainer and Organizing Consultant, Anne McGurty, publishes the "Organizing Strategy" weekly ezine with 1,200+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your productivity, save time, and enjoy the quality of your life at work and at home, get your FREE tips now at www.StrategizeAndOrganize.
WANT MORE INTERACTIVE CONVERSATIONS AND TIPS: See Anne's blog. |
|
About Anne:
 Anne McGurty is CEO of Strategize & Organize, a company devoted to training individual's to be more effective with the tools and resources to be productive in their work environment.
If you liked today's issue, you'll love Anne's transforming productivity training and organizing products to help you organize your business -- and yourself -- ranging from productivity consulting for individuals and executives to small business coaching programs to keynote speaking and corporate training programs to improve efficiencies in the workplace and improve productivity. While Anne's best known for her expertise in productivity and expert office organizing, her clients share that her biggest impact comes from her philosophy of "personalizing her programs to fit the needs of her clients so they can streamline more efficiently with existing processes" - ensuring to create a sustainable work environment. This, Anne says, is the most important key to bringing an individual to personal freedom with time and organization. You can learn more about Anne and her services, programs, and products for small businesses at www.StrategizeAndOrganize.com. She is also a partner with Catapult Growth Partners. Catapult Growth Partners is a leading interim executive and advisory firm that specializes in providing turnaround and business revitalization services. | |
Strategize & Organize
P.O. Box 6282
Denver, Colorado 80206
(303) 778-0588
|
|
|
