Performance improvement

tools and collaboration

Nigel Alphonso

TMA World │ Global Account Director

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

In today’s corporate environment,

everyone is looking to use

tools to improve performance,

including social networking tools,

performance management tools

and

project management tools.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

It seems that whatever the

managerial challenge,

someone will have devised

a tool to address it.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

This point was brought home to

me when I recently facilitated a

session for a large financial

services firm.

The team leader was keen to

understand the best tools to

use in order to maximize the

performance of his team.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

When I replied that the most

effective tool was his own ability

to foster a sense of purpose,

trust and direction within the

team, there was a momentary

silence.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

“But my team is all over the world” he replied

“in different time-zones and operating within different

cultures, we need some tools to help us

collaborate.”

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

Of course, I was quick to remind him that without the

appropriate collaborative mindset, tools will only make a

marginal difference.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

This dilemma seems to be a common theme across all global organizations.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

Indeed when senior managers were questioned in a recent AMA (American Management Association) survey about their

employees’ collaborative and team work skills, only 46% were rated above average.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

In order to address these gaps, firms

are increasingly experimenting with

a variety of initiatives, all of which

have at their core the creation of a

corporate culture where command

and control structures are being

replaced with trust-based

workplaces.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

Google is a notable example of this,

where outcome based objectives

supersede any measurement based

on time or volume of work.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

Technological advances have meant even

greater tendencies towards virtual and

remote working which in turn has

shone a powerful light on poor

management practice.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

In my experience, an average manager of a co-

located team will struggle immensely if their

team is subsequently dispersed across

multiple locations and

time-zones.

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

So, are tools unimportant?

Of course not (and next time we can discuss their uses).

However, as a manager, always be thinking:

“What can I do to promote greater

trust,

convergence and improved

coordination

in my team?”

Performance improvement tools and collaboration

To learn more about how TMA World can help

your organization, please contact us at

enquiries@tmaworld.com

or visit

http://www.tmaworld.com/training-solutions/