Promo success depends on many people working well together. From sales reps and suppliers to designers and fulfillment teams, collaboration makes all the difference. When teams sync up by sharing updates and playing to each other’s strengths, projects run smoother and clients benefit from a better experience.
Bloomfire’s Betsy Anderson says that when teams improve collaboration, they often gain a significant competitive advantage. Teams working well together share knowledge more freely, solve problems more efficiently and generate more creative solutions. How can you make this happen at your promo company? We share some ideas from Anderson in this issue of PromoPro Daily.
- Foster a culture of psychological safety. This is a shared belief among team members that the environment is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. Make sure everyone feels comfortable asking questions, sharing their ideas and seeking help without fear of embarrassment.
- Optimize communication channels. This doesn’t mean adding more channels to the mix, Anderson says, but rather using the right tools for the right message and audience. When teams know where to find information, who to contact with specific questions and what channels are appropriate for different discussion types, everything runs much more smoothly.
- Define roles and responsibilities. Beyond just identifying who does what, Anderson says clearly defined roles streamline communication and decision-making. Everyone should know their specific duties and how their contributions fit into the bigger picture. This can foster accountability and reduce confusion.
- Encourage regular feedback. According to Anderson, there’s a vital connection between team collaboration and regular feedback. When giving feedback, make it timely and specific. You should also build a good relationship with your team and those in other departments. Anderson says you can do this through one-on-one meetings and promoting dialogue.
- Recognize and reward collaborative efforts. When employees see their collective efforts are being celebrated, they tend to feel a greater sense of purpose and belonging. In fact, Anderson points out some data that shows that increasing employee recognition from quarterly to monthly can boost productivity by as much as 40%. The act of recognition reinforces a culture where mutual support and shared success are celebrated, she says.
- Lead by example. Anderson recommends demonstrating the kind of collaborative behavior you’d like to see. Prioritize transparency, ensuring that information flows freely and goals are clearly stated. You should also actively involve yourself in team projects and truly contribute to show your commitment.
- Offer team-building activities. These activities can help employees develop stronger interpersonal relationships. Anderson advises considering activities that directly address current team challenges or skill gaps and then debriefing afterward to connect the activity’s lessons to daily work. For example, a collaborative cooking class could be a fun way to practice communication and teamwork.
Strong collaboration helps everything run more smoothly, from internal workflows to client-facing projects. It’s not just about being friendly but sharing information and working toward the same goal. When that happens, the results are better for everyone involved.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Betsy Anderson leads the customer success and implementation teams at Bloomfire, a knowledge management platform.
