What do you do if you need to enhance collaboration in IT Consulting using virtual tools?

Depending on your budget and team expertise, you may: a) Go full open-source tools and take them as they are. b) Check for reasonable priced and useful-enough tools. c) Go for the classics, Microsoft or Google Workspace. None of them are bad choices but everything ties up on the point of cost. You should focus on how much value can you create through using those tools and put a price range to make your decision. But never forget my "The Four C's of Strategical IT Infrastructure Decision Criteria": #Compliance #Compatibility #Comfort #Cost You need to balance all aspects of your needs to provide a useful source for your team. Well, if yo don't, problems WILL arise, and you will need to be the one who puts down the flames.

In my experience, setting expectations for communication, tool usage, and meeting etiquette can significantly improve team efficiency and coherence. One thing I’ve found helpful is to create a shared document outlining these guidelines, including preferred platforms for different types of communication, response time expectations, and best practices for virtual meetings. A common mistake is assuming all team members are familiar with or will intuitively know how to use virtual tools effectively without guidance. For instance, specifying that video should be on during meetings to foster a more engaged and personal connection can make a substantial difference in team dynamics.

Let me spill on what actually worked for us: 1. Don't forget to onboard everyone on these tools properly. A quick tutorial or a cheat sheet can go a long way. 2. Make sure everyone’s on the same page, literally. With shared docs and collaboration spaces, edits and updates can happen in real-time. 3. Set the stage for a positive vibe. Don’t hold back on the kudos. A simple “Hey, great job on that presentation!” or “Loved your ideas in the meeting today” can light up someone’s day. 4. Growth is a team sport, and feedback is the coach. Keep those lines of communication wide open, offering support, guidance.

Improving collaboration in IT consulting using virtual tools requires an approach that involves both technology and collaborative processes. Active participation of all team members using virtual tools should be encouraged. Ask questions, ask for feedback and involve everyone in the discussion to make sure everyone feels included and involved. Additionally, hold regular virtual meetings using video conferencing platforms to discuss projects, share updates, and align team goals. Finally, you should foster a culture of feedback within the team using virtual tools. Regularly ask for feedback on the collaborative processes and tools used and use this information to make ongoing improvements.

2022 = 320 AI tools 03/2024 = approximately 12,300 Starting with these large numbers to illustrate the need to study, understand, and primarily, test, learn, test, make mistakes, test, get it right, and move forward. Activities in Consulting - from the Project Manager's perspective - need to focus on activities that add value, solve problems, ask and answer questions, balance and unbalance! Automating daily tasks helps save our precious time, allowing us to fill it with something more "useful" that makes professional/personal sense (I wrote about the purpose issue yesterday). For this purpose, the concept of lifelong learning serves, regardless of the format. By the time I finish this post, there will certainly be a new tool invented!