What is Online Collaboration, you ask?
Simply put, online Collaboration refers to utilizing a technology that is capable of connecting people who are geographically scattered by bringing them to work together in an online space and towards the same goal. Google Team, Google Meet, Google Docs, Zoom, Skype are some of the popularly used online collaboration tools and platforms.
Thanks to the advancement in technology, working remotely from any location has been made possible, one will just need to have a stable and reliable internet connection, (not as simple as you may think).
Online collaboration has brought about several benefits to it, for instance, the easiness of keeping track of changes since multiple users can work on the same
The document, presentation or spreadsheet, the improved flexibility and workflow where the team members are capable of working with teams from different locations and maintains a steady workflow, one is capable of working anywhere which many people find this refreshing since they do not have to be physically at work,
Strengthening the team relationship since the whole team works towards achieving the same goal and so they can all push each other to reach the target set, saving time and money to commute to meet in different regions since it is possible to do the meetings online.
With any benefits, there are a few downsides, some of the downsides of online collaboration include the fact that the face-to-face interaction is lacking since the communication is all done online and that reduces the human aspect,
Technical problems that may arise during presentations where one may struggle to project their screen and of the like, the work-life balance can be tipped off is one is not careful in making a proper balance of it all may miss out on life.
There are a few tips to adhere to when collaborating online
Maintain regular working hours
Set a schedule and stick to it so that when you call it a day it will help you balance your work-life. You can use applications to guide and track you so that to stick to your schedule which in turn will also help you figure out at which time during the day you are most productive from the ones you slack off the most, for instance, if from 0930am to 1230pm where you are most efficient then don’t schedule activities such as meetings during that slot rather focus on your work. You can use this to our advantage to improve your productivity.
Create a morning routine
Ask yourself, what do I do in the morning that shows I am about to start working? It can be a cup of coffee before you start tackling the to-do list for the day, it might be a jog or exercise session or even brushing your teeth and getting dressed in something other than your pajamas.
Setting ground rules with the people in your space
During your work hours, you need to set ground rules for the people around you. For instance, setting quiet times during meetings and space and items sharing such as desks and chairs
Schedule breaks
While working give yourself breaks in between whether you are self-employed or employed. Give yourself an hour of lunch and for online collaboration types of work, it is important to stand up and move around to get blood circulation every so often at least once an hour. This will also help you move your eyes off the screen and do it regularly for a micro-break of about 10-20 seconds
Taking breaks in their entirety
Use applications where you will set in your working hours and once that time is up it sets off an alarm or timer on your phone to alert you that your time is up and you have to get on with other businesses. Also, if you came back early from your break walk it off until the time is up until you are back to your seat. This will ultimately help you balance your life and work so much so that you would not be juggling one more than the other
All this has been escalated due to the previous Corona Virus pandemic.
About HEBO Consult
HEBO Consult is a Tanzanian-based consulting firm providing strategic planning and project management services to organizations, corporations, non-profits, and emerging businesses in Tanzania.
HEBO Consult is a group of dynamic and diverse professionals passionate about bringing order into businesses by facilitating the building of the right strategies for businesses and organizations’ growth and bridging the gap between strategy designs and implementation through the effective use of project management.
The core business philosophy is built around ‘CONSULTING THROUGH TRAINING’, where consultants and trainers work with teams within businesses and organizations to plan effective strategies while they provide effective training programs to equip the teams with the right tools and techniques to effectively execute their business strategies, through building capacity and strength.
Online Collaboration Training with Azania Bank
On 10 of JUNE 2021, HEBO CONSULT Conducted training about online collaboration with Azania bank with the help with Tanzania institute of a banker ( TIOB), this was a big help for them due to the pandemic that happens in 2019 many businesses had to shift to online,
The training focus was how the organization , company and individuals get to know how to use those online collaboration tools like Zoom meeting, Skype, Microsoft team, Google Team, Google Meet, Google Docs, Zoom, and popularly online collaboration tools and platforms for meeting and training to smooth their work.
HEBO Consult specializes in providing solutions customized to fit the needs of individual companies/organizations/businesses through a proprietary process as well as building capacity to develop talent across any industry, because of see not many people know how to use the online tool. HEBOCONSULT is here to train you and your organization on how to use those tools to smooth your work and your company
