Collaboration plays a huge role in making organisations run more smoothly and get more done. It helps teams break down difficult projects into smaller, more manageable tasks, making workflows more organised and boosting productivity. And when people work well together, it creates a positive atmosphere in the workplace, keeping employees happy and motivated.
On average, office workers spend around 42% of their time working together. But poor communication can still cause problems and slow things down. For example, 66% of customers have gone to competitors because companies didn’t communicate well enough.
Types of Teams within a Business
Functional teamsFunctional teams are made up of people from the same department who focus on specific goals. Take a finance team – they deal with things like budgeting and forecasting. Their job is to keep the company’s finances on track. Most companies (about 90%) use teams like this because they’re good at handling specialised tasks. Everyone knows their role and this keeps things running smoothly. |
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Cross-functional teamsNow imagine a team where people from different departments work together. Apple is a good example – they brought together engineers, marketers and designers to create the iPhone. By pooling their ideas and skills, they were able to create something groundbreaking. Companies that use such teams often see greater profits because they get fresh ideas from different perspectives. But if teams from different departments don’t communicate well, it can be a mess. If you’ve ever called a company and been passed from one person to another without getting an answer, you know what I mean. Teams need to work together, not against each other, to make sure customers get the help they need. |
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Project TeamsProject teams are like pop-up shops – they come together for a specific purpose and disband when the job is done. SpaceX does this all the time. They build project teams for every rocket they design, like the Starship or Falcon Heavy. These teams are completely focused on their task, which helps them meet tight deadlines and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Research shows that such teams are more likely to complete projects on time and within budget. |
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Virtual teamsThen there are virtual teams, which are essentially groups of people working together from different locations. Imagine a designer in New York, a developer in London and a manager in Tokyo all working on the same project. Virtual teams are extremely flexible and allow businesses to work with talented people from all over the world. They’re also easier on the budget because not everyone has to be in the same place. But for these teams to work, there need to be clear rules about when people are available and how they communicate. Done right, virtual teams can be just as productive as face-to-face teams – sometimes more so. |
TrueConf for virtual teams
Unlock seamless communication and collaboration for your virtual teams with TrueConf’s secure and high-quality video conferencing platform. Empower remote work with features designed to keep your team connected, productive, and engaged—no matter where they are.
TrueConf offers
A secure messenger and 4K video conferencing enable employees to stay connected from any device and collaborate seamlessly on common projects.
Collaboration Tools
Communicate in the conference chat, share images, presentations, videos, and documents, as well as remotely control your desktop!
Work on All Popular Devices
TrueConf client applications run on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, as well as in browsers that support WebRTC technology.
Unified Corporate Space
Shared address book, communication via telephony, conference scheduler and much more!
Benefits of Team within a Business
- Better communication Imagine a group of people working on a big project. Someone sketches out an idea, someone else adds their thoughts, and soon everyone’s contributing. This is how good communication works – open, clear and simple. Simple activities like icebreakers or team-building games can help people feel more relaxed and build trust. When there’s trust, sharing ideas becomes second nature and the team works better together.
- More creativity Think about the last time you had a great idea. Chances are you weren’t alone – someone else’s suggestion or feedback probably helped spark it. Teamwork encourages creativity by allowing people to bounce ideas off each other. When everyone feels comfortable sharing, the possibilities grow. Without this collaboration, brainstorming can fall flat and some of the best ideas may never come to fruition.
- A happier workplace Imagine a workplace where people actually want to come to work. It’s not because of the free snacks or cool perks – it’s because they feel valued and connected. When a workplace values teamwork, people build strong relationships and feel that their work matters. This kind of environment is not only fun, but also more productive.
- Higher motivation Being part of a good team can inspire people to do their best. When employees bond over common goals – or even a coffee break – they feel more energised and excited about what they’re working on. These connections keep people motivated, even when the work gets tough.
- Personal growth Think of a time when a colleague showed you a faster way to do something, or gave you a new perspective on a problem. Teamwork creates moments like this all the time. Sharing knowledge and helping each other grows everyone. These little lessons add up over time, making the whole team stronger and ready to take on new challenges.
How to Build an Effective Team
- Good leadership A good leader is like a coach – someone who guides, motivates and keeps the team on track. But even leaders need to grow. A leader who struggles with communication could learn a lot from workshops or coaching, while someone who is good at planning but less confident with people could benefit from practice through role-playing. Feedback from the team will also help leaders identify where they need to improve.
- Clear goals Imagine going on a trip without knowing your destination. You wouldn’t know which direction to take, how much time you need, or what to pack. Teams face the same confusion without clear goals—they’re left guessing what to prioritize and how to measure progress. The SMART method—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound—turns vague ideas into actionable plans. Instead of saying, “We need to increase sales,” try, “We want to grow sales by 15% in three months by targeting new customers.” This clarity helps team members focus their efforts and stay aligned. Clear goals keep everyone on track, make progress easier to measure, and allow teams to address challenges early while celebrating milestones.
- Define roles A great team is like a relay race—everyone knows their role and how it fits into the bigger picture. In a marketing project, for example, one person might focus on design, another on content, and someone else on social media. When roles are clear, there’s less confusion, and everyone feels their contribution matters. Celebrating milestones along the way keeps the team motivated and focused. It also reminds everyone that progress is being made, even during long or challenging projects. Recognizing individual efforts within the team fosters a sense of pride and encourages continued commitment.
- Let the team help you hire Imagine starting a new job and feeling welcomed right away because your teammates helped select you. When team members are involved in hiring – whether through interviews or referrals – they help find people who are a good fit. This makes onboarding smoother and strengthens the team dynamic from the start.
- Keep communication open Imagine a team meeting where everyone feels comfortable speaking up. A good manager makes space for quieter team members to share their thoughts and helps others build on them. Regular check-ins, such as weekly calls or quick updates, help keep everyone connected. Giving clear feedback – such as “Try breaking your report into sections for greater clarity” – keeps things on track.
- Build trust Think about someone you trust completely. Working with them probably feels easy and productive. Building that level of trust in a team takes effort – through team-building activities, one-on-one conversations and celebrating successes together. Trust makes working together easier and helps the team perform better.
- Encourage growth Imagine being part of a team that’s always learning and improving. A sales team might attend a negotiation workshop, while an engineering team might try out new tools or software. Cross-training gives people the chance to learn new skills and makes the team more adaptable. Helping your team grow keeps them motivated and helps your business thrive.
Conclusion
Imagine a team in a busy office faced with a sudden challenge – a major client changes its priorities and the project needs a quick pivot. Instead of freezing, the team springs into action. The designer suggests updates, the marketing lead offers a new angle, and the project manager organises the plan. In no time, they adapt and impress the client. That’s what strong teams do – they don’t just manage change, they take control and turn it into something positive.