The term ‘Collaboration Equity’ is a phrase that is being used a lot in the AV space right now, but what does it actually mean? Nia Celestin, Global Head of Marketing at DTEN explains:
At DTEN, we see collaboration equity as addressing 2 key challenges:
- Ensuring every meeting participant, regardless of where they are, has an equal presence in the new hybrid office/ hybrid classroom.
- Ensuring that remote participants can connect and collaborate as effectively remotely as they would in person.
By addressing both these you will create a culture of fairness, engagement and increased productivity. However, this might be easier said than done! Achieving true Collaboration Equity in today’s hybrid world can be complex – requiring management, commitment, diligence, and empathy. Not to mention that smart and interactive technology is also required.
To get you started, here are three tips to achieving collaboration equity in your organization:
- Build a plan. Develop the structure, policies, and procedures to enable inclusion, engagement, and participation across your entire organization.
- Re-imagine workspaces. Ensure your physical environment is optimised to be able to host hybrid meetings and collaboration.
- Invest in Technology. Technology is key to achieve true collaboration equity across all work locations: in-office, hybrid, and remote.
Let’s explore what each one of these mean further:.
- Build s plan
During the pandemic, businesses had to react fast which meant often processes didn’t exist, decisions were made based on the immediate needs, and technology was purchased based on what you could get your hands on. Fast forward to today, now knowing that hybrid work is here to stay, we have more time to consider our long-term approach to hybrid collaboration and to build a solid plan to achieve true collaboration equity.
Firstly, your plan needs to define what you want to achieve, detail action items, and create milestones. This planning process should involve remote and hybrid workers, so their individual needs are well-represented.
As part of this plan will be communication, it is important not to assume everyone on your team will understand the importance of collaboration equity. Reiterate the benefits to both individuals and to the team at large.
- Re-imagine workspaces
Traditional meeting rooms where in-office participants are sat round a table facing one another may have been effective when everyone was in the office. But since the pandemic was a catalyst for remote work and hybrid meetings, gone are the days where long boardroom tables with remote participants ‘out of the circle’ are the hub of creativity and team collaboration.
Unfortunately, the physical space and meeting room layout is often the last consideration for collaboration equity. However, to successfully achieve collaboration equity it is essential that you create an environment where everyone has a seat at the hybrid table. A more flexible space will allow remote attendees to be front and center with everyone else – and help eliminate ‘proximity bias.’
Re-imaging workspaces – including clear sightlines, modular furniture, and moveable boundaries – are critical for collaboration equity success. A short-list of physical space considerations includes agility of space, allowing teams to dynamically shape meetings based on the type of interaction; flexibility of furniture and equipment to move for changing scenarios; adaptability to ensure a balance of shared and private spaces; and responsibility to ensure all team members have equal access to essential collaboration tools regardless of location.
- Invest in technology
Achieving true collaboration equity in today’s hybrid world, of course, requires the right technology. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which is worth the investment and which is best to suit your needs, both now and in the future.
Sound and picture quality are at the forefront in selecting video conference equipment. Everyone in-office and remotely should be able to see and be seen, hear and be heard, equally. Features such as Zoom Smart Gallery, also take this one step further by allowing all participants in the room to be presented in individual video tiles.
Similarly, an interactive, touch-enabled whiteboard – equally accessible to in-room and remote participants – provides a shared focal point for collaboration.
As you evaluate video and collaboration platforms and hardware, you should consider these three things:
- Does the technology provide a consistent user experience regardless of where users are located?
- Will it ensure equal access and presentation with its collaboration tools?
- And is the solution simple to use, easy to manage and flexible enough to meet the variable needs of your workspaces?
This should be considered across the board, for each meeting space and for remote employees’ home workspaces. Remote workers can get access to the same top-quality technology as in-office counterparts; full-featured, individual desktop solutions are readily available and more affordable than ever.
Most importantly, think about the user experience and strive for consistency of experience between home and office solutions to reduce user frustration and the need for technical support. Collaboration equity also needs everyone to be able to use the technology easily so try and avoid complex solutions and look for equipment that offers natural and intuitive experiences.
Tracking your success
Lastly, once you have begun your journey towards true collaboration equity, there are several ways you can track your progress. Qualitatively, you should see greater participation and interaction among your team. Quantitatively, you can create and monitor engagement measures, conduct employee surveys and more long-term measures would include monitoring retention and productivity.
As part of this plan will be communication, it is important not to assume everyone on your team will understand the importance of collaboration equity.
Re-imaging workspaces – including clear sightlines, modular furniture, and moveable boundaries – are critical for collaboration equity success.
Achieving true collaboration equity in today’s hybrid world, of course, requires the right technology.
