What can your IT department do for you? Sure they can fix a frozen screen or help fix the network bug that’s giving you a digital flu, but can they help you be better at your job?
Nowadays, technology enables modern finances, which is why a business’ success requires departments who were once unbeknownst to each other to now operate together. A recent joint-study from Robert Half Management Resources and Robert Half Technology surveyed more than 2,200 CFOs asking whether they saw an increase in collaboration with their company’s chief information officer or top IT manager, in comparison to three years ago. More than half (51 percent) of respondents reported to see more collaboration, versus seven percent that said they saw somewhat to much less interaction. The rest of respondents observed no difference in cross-department collaboration.
Recently the IT-financial bond has surfaced as a result of technological advancements; increased automation and data analytics allow accounting and finance professionals to better serve as strategic business advisors for their companies. It’s important to foster this unexpected partnership between the IT and finance departments, as firms that fail to develop collaboration between the two run the risk of losing revenues, committing regulatory missteps, operating with inadequate business systems and letting IT expenses run amok.
Technology initiatives affect nearly every division within organizations today, which is why companies that focus on emphasizing the importance of collaboration help make way for a seamlessly smooth integration of new systems and processes. Visionaries who can get their teams to collaborate can reap great rewards.
Following are six ways business leaders can improve interdepartmental collaboration:
- Encourage a companywide view. Provide opportunities, such as meetings with guest speakers from other departments and mentoring programs, to help new and tenured staff stay current on issues affecting different areas of the company.
- Communicate priorities. Use consistent messaging throughout the organization about the company’s opportunities, challenges and goals.
- Speak a shared language. When detailing objectives and challenges, use common terms. Skip acronyms and industry jargon that only some individuals will understand.
- Extend the invitation. Include other departments in group outings. Team-building activities help people build rapport.
- Seek an outside view. Consider working with a consultant who can provide an objective perspective of your firm’s strengths and weaknesses and offer best practices for improving collaboration.
- Celebrate as a group. When a project goes well, reward the entire team. Praise the individuals involved, and call out specific instances of the group working together that led to the success.
It may be awkward at first and a few ice breakers may be necessary, but once the hurdles of interdepartmental collaboration are brought down, it’ll be easier for your teams to utilize help from others and excel in their departments. There’s no reason why the next call to IT has to be for help with a tech emergency; make it one to exchange ideas.
[Megan Szczesny is the branch manager for Robert Half Technology in Hartford. Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals, specializing in consulting services on a project or full-time basis. For more information visit rht.com.]
Read other Friday Focus columns
Friday Focus is an online-only weekly series of columns focusing on human resource, business legal issues, technology, and marketing. Interested in participating? Send an email to Keith Griffin at kgriffin@hartfordbusiness.com.
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