Silos are expensive to build, maintain and customers don’t stick around for the reveal.
Siloes are more prominent since the pandemic began, in part simply because the circles of those we collaborate with have got smaller.
We have recently completed a number of business reviews with clients who have been losing business to their competitors. In nearly all cases the root cause has been a lack of cohesion between business development, marketing and sales.
YOU can start to change these dynamics in your collaborative meetings.
- There are strategies you can use to get people talking.
- First, become comfortable with being uncomfortable, especially in silence. Set meeting expectations in advance—and ensure participation.
- Ask the right questions to generate interaction.
- Introduce response data into the meeting, so attendees are aware of participation.
- Bridge intersections between departments.
- Finally, offer a variety of ways to interact, including digital options.
Here are some benefits of cross-departmental collaboration:
Innovation: Creative ideas and thoughtful solutions often emerge from fresh perspectives when diverse groups work on a project. A collaborative environment can challenge the standard way of doing things and find efficiency improvements, cost savings, or revenue opportunities.
Continuous Learning: When teams work together and better understand each other’s roles, there’s a deeper learning of the business as a whole. For example, when a human resources representative learns more about the IT department’s process for delivering devices to a new employee, they can improve the hiring process and setup for items like computers, cell phones, or other technology pieces.
Teamwork: Cross-departmental collaboration encourages all ideas, regardless of titles or salaries, and can strengthen team building within a company or business.
On our recent projects, to encourage effective cross-departmental collaboration, we employed the following simple tactics:
Make sure everyone is on the same page: Explain the roles everyone needs to play to achieve the common goal and speak in terms everyone can understand.
Ask questions and understand other departments’ priorities: Gain insights into what other teams need and prioritize. Understanding their pain points and preferences helps align efforts.
Plan campaigns around other teams’ needs: When creating campaigns or projects, consider how they impact other departments and tailor your approach accordingly.
Align around a common objective: Clearly define the shared goal that all departments are working towards.
Define the details: Specify roles, responsibilities, and expectations for each team involved.
Define the process: Establish a workflow for collaboration, including communication channels and checkpoints.
Help other teams understand how the work benefits them: Highlight the positive impact of cross-departmental efforts on overall business success.
Collaboration develops over time and requires effort. Through implementing these strategies, you can create a more cohesive and productive work environment across departments.