If your associates do their work in silos, you're not alone. But they are.

When you first arrive on the scene as a new employee it doesn’t take long to realize whether the company you just joined works in silos or is openly collaborative. They can both be highly functional, but the company has to make a conscious decision to make it work so everyone can be productive and enjoy what they do. We have found that siloed work environments are difficult to sustain if the market that they serve is collaborative and open. The flooring industry is one example. Everything about the commercial construction industry is designed to operate in a collaborative environment. Is your business a reflection of the industry you operate in?

“A more collaborative work environment not only provides tremendous value for everyone working on a project, but it also reduces errors, increases profitability, and can improve employee retention. ”

There are opportunities to do a deep dive into your business and its’ culture but we’ll save that for later. The pressing question is everyone productive and does one person’s work bring value to the next person that may be working on the same project. Or, does everyone have to modify their work based on what was “thrown over the wall”? Technology can break down these “walls” and allow everyone to benefit from the contribution of another associate - regardless of their role.

A more collaborative work environment not only provides tremendous value for everyone working on a project, but also reduces errors, increases profitability, and can improve employee retention. For some, job security is based on how many hours a day they work and whether or not anyone else can do their job. The reality is that job satisfaction, which leads to greater productivity, more desirable outcomes, and this leads straight to job security. Every time someone touches an element of a project it should improve the position of that project for the next associate. Likewise, if elements of the project go back and forth then each touchpoint should be an improvement. Otherwise, there are “empty” hours being spent doing rework.

A recent study concluded that any human intervention was inescapably contributing to 11.2% errors when repetitive tasks are being accomplished manually. That alone is a reason to investigate technology that improves collaboration. In our conversations with over 100 flooring contractors, finish schedule errors and manual entry errors contribute to a large percentage of rework and less than desirable outcomes. Also, the lack of integration between associates or “silos” creates inconsistencies, delays, and difficulty to meet deadlines.

Technology may be the difference between a siloed workplace (that shouldn’t be) and a more productive workplace with desired outcomes from satisfied employees. COVID19 made us all aware of the reason to be physically siloed, but with technology, we do not have to work in silos. Software systems that are user-friendly, provide project transparency and can be shared in the cloud bring value to any organization that is project-driven.

Imagine a project Finish Schedule in a digital format. With this format you could “click” and add products, “click” and upload all technical documents, “click” and upload to estimating software like MeasureSquare, Job Runner, or SafeHarbor, “click” to order samples, “click” to make a submittal package or closeout package, and “click” to transfer everything over to another associate in finance, sales, estimating, project management - your collaborative team. With Spec-ID you are only one “click” away from being a collaborative working team that can do all of the above in one or two “clicks”.

Technology is designed to help a “team” feel more like a team and improve your overall productivity. We believe you should check out this interesting article from Viewpoint, Breaking Down Silos for Better Construction Collaboration. Here it explains in more detail how the process may be dividing people unintentionally.

In today’s uncertain environment, a flooring contracting company needs to be able to scale up and down with clarity and predictability. A lifeline to technology can help remove siloes, help build your business, grow your profits, and create an environment that attracts and retains associates.

To learn more, take a look at our new software that can Connect everyone on your team with everything they need.