Virtual Collaboration will change the way we work

There’s a temptation to see collaboration tools, from Teams to Yammer to Slack, as just another technology we have to deal with. The proliferation of these new ways of communicating have, for many companies, created new levels of stress and confusion. For all the benefits they bring there is a counterweight problem, and people are feeling overloaded now more than ever before.

What’s missing is a true understanding of how these collaborative technologies can add value. They are not merely another channel for communication. They are heralding a new era where humans will have to learn to fully integrate and collaborate not only with each other, but also with the Artificial Intelligence which drives these systems.

James Lovelock, the centenarian guru behind the Gaia Theory, released his latest book Novocene (meaning a new age of Hyperintelligence) earlier this year. It covers his latest thinking about the planet and how we could save it from over-heating. He believes the answer is not to denigrate progress, and suggests that only by embracing new technologies will we solve the Earth’s issues.

This involves a step-change in our thinking. In the workplace, this means fully embracing collaborative technologies, and reaping the benefits of improved creativity, increased productivity, saving time and money, and significantly reduced business travel.

Virtual collaboration tools are not the next version of email; email is about communication, while these new tools are all about communication around rich information. It’s like going from riding a horse, with limited speed and range, to driving a modern car, where your end destination is simply a matter of imagination. The AI bus is coming – the only question is when are you getting on board?