DECEMBER - 2021CIOAPPLICATIONSEUROPE.COM9By adopting a startup lens, incorporating new technologies, and/or partnering with startups, enterprises can foster creativity and innovation in the upcoming remote years2. Nonverbal CommunicationText and video-based communication can often lead to a slowdown in the pace of collaboration across teams, especially in the early stages of projects. That's because this type of communication is missing nonverbal cues like body language, in turn requiring over communication on the simplest of ideas. Then add in "translation time" ­ the time it takes for teams to fully understand the ideas being communicated without nonverbal cues ­ which can lead to breakdowns in communication and delays.3. Immediate FeedbackAll of these issues feed into this last one: immediate feedback. Oftentimes, when working remote, it can be hard to get immediate feedback on ideas and next steps. You either have to wait for an email or Slack message, or book time to jump on a call, rather than just walk over to someone's desk to see their reactions in real time. The Opportunity for Innovation LeadersAll of these challenges provide opportunities for Innovation leaders to help their organizations thrive in this new work environment. As long time investors in SaaS technology we know of many technologies already solving for the challenges of remote work. Identifying and implementing these technologies can set organizations up to thrive long into the future. Here are four opportunity areas to consider:Synchronous CommunicationSynchronous, real time communication is necessary for effective collaboration, and there are a plethora of tools solving for this. The obvious ones like Zoom, Phone Calls, and Slack are great tools to keep communication lines open. There are also newer tools to consider like Fireflies.ai, Flock and Touchbase. Fireflies.ai automates note taking for online meetings. Flock is an all-in-one collaboration tool, combining chat, video calls, and powerful search and productivity tools. Touchbase is a quick and easy way to hold impromptu group video discussions with zero forward planning.Asynchronous CommunicationWhile synchronous communication is extremely important in a remote setting, asynchronous communication provides employees with control over when and how they respond to their teammates. This can allow them to focus on other work without the pressure to answer messages in real time. Twist is a great tool for asynchronous communication ­ providing a distraction-free space where teams can balance focused work with collaborative conversations.Team CollaborationWhile technologies like Zoom, Slack, and Google Hangouts offer great ways to communicate, they don't offer the most optimized way to collaborate. This is where tools like Mavenlink and Range come in. Mavenlink is a project and resource management software aiming to streamline the planning and delivery lifecycle for business. Range is a daily standup tool where teammates can share their daily updates, mood and progress on KPIs. Project OrganizationOne of the toughest things for managers to do in a remote setting is effectively manage multiple projects and teams. This is where software like Workfront - online work management software, providing one central platform for enterprises to share ideas, create content, and manage complex processes. Learning from StartupsMany of the tools we've recommended are startups. There's a reason for this. Startups tend to be well acquainted with the remote work model and have been solving for challenges presented by remote work for a long time. This is why startups may prove to be the very thing enterprises need to stave off decreases in communication and collaboration. By adopting a startup lens, incorporating new technologies, and/or partnering with startups, enterprises can foster creativity and innovation in the upcoming remote years.
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