Three Types of Collaboration and Why They’re Important

Make no mistake about it, collaboration is an important part of nearly every business. Today, organizations are asked to do more with less and one of the best ways to do that is to build a great collaboration strategy. If there were no collaborative strategy, however, every task within the business would be delegated to a single person with a limited scope and mindset, placing a cap on both the task’s potential and the business’ potential. 

What is Collaboration?

Many professionals often confuse collaboration with communication though they are distinct concepts that work hand in hand. Collaboration involves working directly with others toward a shared objective, while communication serves as the channel through which this teamwork happens. Technology plays a big role in modern collaboration in all three levels that businesses implement:

• Simple collaboration - This involves quick, real-time communications like instant messaging. While these tools can sometimes lead to distractions, they also promote cooperation and quick exchanges of ideas, driving projects toward their goals and delivering services and support more effectively.
• Data collaboration - This type of collaboration goes beyond simple communication by allowing multiple users to work together on documents simultaneously. Whether employees are in the office or working remotely, they can contribute to the same document in real-time, making seamless collaboration a reality.
• Structured collaboration - This level of collaboration typically involves meetings, where physical presence or live virtual interaction is essential. However, the effectiveness of meetings hinges on having a clear agenda and ensuring that everyone’s input is valued and considered.

Why Is Collaboration Important?

Encouraging collaboration is one of the most effective ways to enhance your organization. The old adage "Two heads are better than one" rings true most of the time, as collaboration technology enables your team to work more efficiently and creatively. Modern tools like cloud-based productivity suites can further strengthen collaboration by connecting users more effectively to their work and their fellow co-workers. 

Does your business utilize modern collaboration techniques and technology to its advantage? If not, give the business technology experts at Washington Works a call at 301-571-5040 to have a conversation about how to use technology to work better together.