Have you heard of global teams? According to a Harvard Business Review study, 89% of large companies have at least one global team and the success of these groups depends on the ability of its members. Here are 5 key tips to improve collaboration.
Global teams are distributed across different locations, time zones, cultures and languages, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, breaking down language barriers, appealing to cultural intelligence and applying effective communication.
Learn five key recommendations to strengthen collaboration in global teams and avoid barriers that affect their performance!
5 key tips, a guide for improvement
1.- Promoting interculturality
The understanding and acceptance of cultural differences is crucial to consolidate intercultural collaboration.
A study by the U.S. global strategy consulting firm McKinsey revealed that culturally diverse teams are 33% more likely to succeed. This understanding not only avoids conflicts, but also fosters innovation and learning about each culture’s festivities, customs and communication styles to build strong bonds and avoid misunderstandings.
2.- Adopt an inclusive and common language.
When team members speak different languages, adopting a common language is essential. According to a report by EF, 90% of global companies consider English as their corporate language, and this not only facilitates communication, but also increases productivity by 25%, breaking down imposed language barriers . However, it is also important to adopt inclusive language, especially in the case of people with disabilities or other special needs.
Practical recommendation
3.- Leveraging technology to facilitate communication
Collaboration tools such as Monday, Hubspot or Salesforce have proven to be essential for global teams. A study by UK global professional services firm Deloitte found that using collaborative platforms can reduce response time by 25%, enabling teams to act with agility.
These tools facilitate the tracking of tasks, meetings and real-time progress updates, key aspects for teams and/or clients distributed in different locations.
Practical recommendation
Establish clear rules and expectations
Are the roles of your team defined?
Clearly defining the roles, responsibilities and expectations of each team member is essential to avoid conflicts, improve performance and achieve effective communication!
According to a report by the American multinational company Gallup, employees who have a clear understanding of their roles are 27% more likely to achieve their goals.
Practical recommendation
5.- Create an environment of respect and trust.
Trust is the foundation of any successful team!
A study by the British professional services firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) indicates that employees in high-trust work environments show 74% less stress and 50% higher productivity. Effective communication is built in an environment where each member feels valued and respected in a multicultural setting.
Practical recommendation
Collaboration in global teams is not without its challenges, but with a well-defined strategy, following these 5 key tips, and a focus on empathy and mutual understanding, you will see results that can be highly beneficial.
Generating intercultural collaboration, breaking language barriers, appealing to cultural intelligence and applying effective communication is the way to strengthen your company.
