What to Look for in Collaborative Tools | CIO Insight

What to Look for in Collaborative Tools

Apr 6, 2017
2 minute read

What to Look for in Collaborative Tools

What to Look for in Collaborative ToolsWhat to Look for in Collaborative Tools

Collaborative solutions play an important role in meeting business goals by boosting efficiency and productivity, while enabling users to make better decisions.

Critical ElementCritical Element

More than 80% of the professionals surveyed said collaborative solutions play either a very or extremely important role in meeting their organization’s top business goals.

Benefits of Collaborative TechBenefits of Collaborative Tech

Greater efficiency: 79%,
Increased productivity: 76%,
Better business decisions: 69%,
Higher levels of innovation: 63%,
Faster time to market: 58%

Pet Peeves, Part IPet Peeves, Part I

46% of the respondents said they’d like collaborative tools to allow contractors, consultants and other non-employees to be included in the process, and 40% would prefer tools that were less complicated to set up.

Pet Peeves Part IIPet Peeves Part II

31% said they wish collaborative tools were less difficult to use, and 29% said these solutions often cost too much.

Rewards programRewards program

At least 56% of the respondents said their organization is reducing travel expenses through collaborative tools.

Personnel SavingsPersonnel Savings

Nearly half said their organization has reduced staffing costs via collaborative solutions.

Top-Down ApproachTop-Down Approach

66% of the respondents said C-level executives should lead their collaborative culture, but just 50% said this is actually happening.

Best Practices: Open UpBest Practices: Open Up

Remember that contractors, partners and other outside parties will need to collaborate with your teams, so look for tools that won’t shut them out.

Best Practices: Keep Eyes on the PrizeBest Practices: Keep Eyes on the Prize

Avoid collaborative products that don’t deliver bottom-line value. Solutions should come with a proven track record of boosting revenue, profits, market share, operational efficiencies and cost savings.

Best Practices: Gain Executive Buy-InBest Practices: Gain Executive Buy-In

By demonstrating positive ROI, you’ll more readily gain the C-suite’s support, thus increasing the likelihood of increased investment into collaborative technology.

Dennis McCafferty

Dennis McCafferty is a contributor to CIO Insight. He covers topics such as IT leadership, IT strategy, collaboration, and IT for businesses.

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