"One factor that contributes to the success of any business depends on whether employees work collaboratively or not"

Luisa Crespo, director Head of Iberia Sub-Saharan Africa Promethean, analyzes the latest technological and collaborative trends that help companies become more efficient.

Reference manufacturer in interactive solutions, technology Promethean is used in the Spanish market by thousands of companies and schools to improve the collaborative experience of professionals and students.

Promethean solutions are distributed in the Iberian market by Maverick AV Solutions, wholesaler's business division Tech Data specialized in Smart Meeting and Smart Signage.

Vittorio Salerno, marketing manager of Maverick AV Solutions, interview with Luisa Crespo, director Head of Iberia Sub-Saharan Africa Promethean, who analyses the latest technological and collaboration trends that help companies become more efficient.

While there is now a lot of talk about collaborative work, mainly in corporate and educational settings, sometimes misunderstood as teamwork, what are the differences between them?

The definition of teamwork arose after World War I, and pursues the production of knowledge, and not so much the optimization of results. In collaborative work, a group of people are involved by contributing their ideas and knowledge with the aim of achieving a common goal.

In this way of working, the figure of the leader or coordinator arises spontaneously, and it's not rigidly defined. It is a more flexible way of working that allows to achieve different results, not necessarily better, that teamwork. Each of the members contributes, cooperates and intervenes in those areas of the project that dominates the most.

The main objective of collaborative work is to share knowledge under an altruistic conception of knowledge. In fact, in this form of works there is no exclusive author. Examples of collaborative work could be platforms such as Wikipedia or Linux.

In this sense, how do you value workplace collaboration?

One of the factors that contribute most to the success of any business depends on whether employees can work collaboratively or not. In a time of great competition, it is very important to encourage creativity in the office in order to improve productivity and promote the healthy relationship between employees.
Working collaboratively allows employees to be faster and more effective in their work, compared to people who work on projects individually.

Collaboration also makes them more accountable, which helps considerably increase your motivation levels, especially when teams work virtually. Other important aspects that contribute to collaboration are the exchange of ideas, providing value and equitable participation.

Why should companies encourage their employees to use collaboration systems?

Collaborative work promotes self-analysis. Collaboration challenges people to think, to articulate and receive clarity about their competencies and, chiefly, helps solve problems. Working collaboratively allows you to look at the full picture. When people from different backgrounds work collaboratively they can complement each other.

When teams collaborate, they learn new things from each other. Your organization becomes a body that animates a culture of continuous learning, supports it through opportunities for growth and development. When team members collaborate, improve your ability to go out and grow beyond your comfort areas.

How do I collaborate with virtual teams?

More and more companies have to collaborate with employees who work from home or who are in different cities or even countries. Companies face the challenge not only of seeing how they can do it, but how these teams can manage from a human resources point of view.

in 2015, LinkedIn bought for 1.500 millions of dollars Lynda.com, the great online training platform. Knowing the needs of companies, has recently created a course called Managing people at a distance, publicize the tools and technologies needed to work collaboratively.

currently, software and hardware manufacturers make multiple tools available to companies to achieve this. From time control software, who controls the employee's hours, interactive displays and video conferencing systems, without a doubt, facilitate collaboration in a very simple way and without large investments.

Other articles on Maverick AV Solutions, Promethean