3 t’s You Want to Cross: Teamwork, Transparency & Technology

The future of teamwork is all about workplace transparency. Teamwork is no longer hidden behind vertical blinds or within conference room B; today’s teamwork is out in the open, at least in theory. Many new software platforms include features that put goals, accountability and even salaries out in the open. And just in time too! A full three quarters of workers would rather be on their own. Why? Because 70% of respondents in a study by the University of Phoenix cite being part of a dysfunctional team. In order for teamwork to continue being the bedrock of productivity, transparency is key.

The future of teamwork is also technology enabled. Technologies like Skype, Yammer, Dropbox and Remote Check in apps are making remote teamwork more possible than many of us believed. Global Workplace Analytics reports an 80% increase in the number of remote workers since 2005, meaning this couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Analysts have no reason to believe the numbers will not continue to grow. Finding tools that support this growth (and training users on the platforms) is in part, fueling the growth of consumer based apps.

The future of teamwork is ROWE. Can you believe I am dragging ROWE right back out of the trash? I am. Results-based work, while not the productivity panacea we thought it would be, is proving to be the work-type of future collaboration. Why? Because accountability is tied into both the aforementioned qualities. It is nearly impossible to have a fully functional and productive team without comprehensive (but brief) check-ins based on goals, and many of the tools that support these progressive results based teams were created to support the remote (and in-office) teams.

Read more…

This article was originally posted on Glassdoor for Employers on May 14, 2014. Click here to view.

Maren Hogan

Maren Hogan is CEO of Red Branch and general Bad@$$

Maren Hogan is a seasoned marketer and community builder in the HR and Recruiting industry. Maren started Red Branch Media and, before she hired all the smiling faces you see below, she ran it on her own. In marketing for over 15 years, she has deep experience in strategic campaigns and a long-term, results-based operational approach.