Strong Teams and Strong Communication Can Strengthen Freemont, NE Businesses

For small businesses to be successful, they need to have strong communication and collaboration between employees. These practices ensure that everyone is on the same page and aware of the company's goals. They also allow for different departments to work together seamlessly. When employees come together to work on projects, they can share their unique perspectives and skills to create a superior product or service. If your team could use some help building their communication and collaboration, check out the tips below from the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce.

Eliminate Silos

One of the most important things you can do to improve collaboration and communication in the workplace is to break down departmental silos. When departments are siloed, they're cut off from each other and communication suffers. This can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and frustration on both an individual and organizational level. To prevent this, break down the barriers between departments by encouraging cross-departmental collaboration and communication.

Trust Your Staff

When it comes to management, it's important to know when to step in and when to step back. Micromanaging your employees can create a feeling of distrust and resentment, Ultimately, it can lead to a decrease in productivity. Instead, try to provide clear expectations and then give your team the freedom to accomplish the task at hand.

The Management Center explains that you might be surprised at how much they're able to accomplish when given the chance to shine. Trust is an essential component of any healthy workplace relationship, so try to cultivate an environment of mutual respect. When you show that you trust your employees, they'll be more likely to trust you—and that can only benefit everyone involved.

Be Open to New Ideas

Ideas are the lifeblood of any organization, so it's vital that you cultivate a culture of idea-sharing in the workplace. Encourage employees to share their ideas freely and openly. Create an environment where new ideas are welcomed and different points of view are respected. Additionally, make sure that decision-makers are accessible to all employees so that everyone has a chance to have their voices heard.

Revisit Older Processes

You can also make inroads by working together to improve outdated processes. When processes are outdated or no longer serve the needs of your organization, they can lead to frustration and resentment among employees. To avoid this, involve employees in the process of updating outdated procedures. Get their input on what needs to be changed and why. Not only will this improve communication and collaboration, but it will also give you a better understanding of how your employees actually work from day to day. 

If many of these policies and practices aren’t in writing, now is a great time to get them down on paper. If you do have written documents, give them to a few team members to brainstorm revisions and create a new document. Online PDF editors are useful in this process because employees can make comments directly on the file using virtual pens, highlighters, and sticky notes. It’s a great way to gather people’s feedback before looking at the changes together as a team.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Feedback

According to Insperity, soliciting feedback from your employees is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of workflows, the environment, and general engagement. Ask for feedback on projects, processes, policies, etc. regularly, and make sure to actually listen to what employees are saying. Use this feedback to make necessary changes and improve the way things are done in your organization. Additionally, let employees know when their feedback has been taken into consideration and used to make positive changes.

Empower Your Team to Collaborate

Better collaboration and communication is essential for any small business looking to stay competitive in today's marketplace. By breaking down departmental silos, trusting your staff, and working together through collaborative online programs, you can create a workplace culture that is conducive to innovation, success, and employee satisfaction.