THE TEAM IS THE CANVAS
Collaborating in teams-oriented workspaces becomes the new natural place for creating next-level business results
We have long been doing our work using the metaphor of a desktop; a workspace that arranges applications and data from an individual perspective. And yet, in post COVID-times – where working online is the accepted standard – the canvas on which we work is shaped by the teams we are part of. It navigates the social graph of people in and around these teams, the way in which they collaborate to achieve goals, and the data that is needed. The new canvas is virtual, distributed, and asynchronous at times. And it contains all the tools needed for the team to create its next works of technology business art – whether impressionist, expressionist, or just a quick charcoal drawing.
Judith Kennes Expert in Residence
WHAT
- Open and secure collaborative platforms provide shared team workspaces, combining many of previously stand-alone collaboration and communication solutions.
- To extend the functionality of the platform, tools pop up as “plugins” to perform specific tasks such as brainstorming, working on a 3D prototype, developing software, or managing a team’s progress.
- Entirely programmable, these platforms provide low-code tools and process automation to create mini-applications with automated flows, increasing the productivity of the team.
- Supported by AI, mini surveys and online, on-demand learning environments, improving a team’s skillset becomes a continuous, often just-in-time process as the team progresses towards achieving its objectives and key results.
- Virtual meeting rooms and huddle spaces are easy to book and ready to connect seamlessly with other rooms, anywhere else in the world. The upcoming Metaverse (see Me, Myself and My Metaverse) will bring entirely new ways of meeting.
USE
- The University of Strathclyde uses the Medallia platform to listen and respond to their staff, and to tap into ideas from their faculty and students to manage a range of health and wellbeing challenges with and for citizens and institutions.
- The Mediterranean Shipping Company uses the 8x8 platform together with Microsoft Teams to collaborate internally while offering an omnichannel experience for customers. Having one, global system saves considerable time and resources.
- Siemens Energy uses Librestream, a provider of augmented reality and remote collaboration tools to build their “Connected Worker” solution to remotely inspect, diagnose, and maintain industrial, often remote equipment.
IMPACT
- Being physically apart in a much more virtual, online world challenges our social connections and well-being. But collaboration platforms and augmented reality – and maybe even the Metaverse in the near future – bring people closer again.
- When provided with an open and secure platform, teams become more productive – saving hours per week – tackling challenging tasks through improved collaboration, information sharing, and asynchronous task optimization.
- By putting together a specific collaboration toolset, teams can create their own signature platform to work together, leading to more innovation, motivation, and better retention of scarce human resources.
- With less dependence on being together in a physical setting – and still be able to produce excellent results – there is less need for fixed office space and travel, ultimately contributing to corporate sustainability goals.
TECH
- Collaboration platforms: Humanity Platform, Microsoft Teams, Avaya OneCloud, Slack, Google WorkSpace
- Virtual meetings and events: Zoom, Google Meet, Cisco Webex, Adobe Connect, GoToMeeting
- Virtual/Augmented Reality and Metaverse: Horizon Workrooms, Microsoft Mesh, Librestream Onsight
- Whiteboard and ideation: Mural, Miro, Bluescape, Klaxoon
- Surveys and quizzes: Medallia Crowdicity