In today’s technology-driven world, technical teams are working harder than ever before. As with teams in any department, as the scope of work expands, additional support becomes critical.
Here, 12 members of Newsweek Expert Forum share their tips for improving support specifically for tech teams. From seeking out continuous learning opportunities to improving collaboration tools, these strategies can help tech teams better support themselves and foster innovation.
1. Invest in training and development
One effective way companies can better support their technology teams is to invest in ongoing training and development opportunities. Providing access to relevant courses, workshops, and conferences helps tech professionals stay up to date on the latest trends and technologies. Building a collaborative culture that encourages knowledge sharing among team members increases productivity and job satisfaction. – Jason Hennessey, Hennessey Digital
2. Prioritize open communication and updating processes
One way companies can support their technology teams is by proactively maintaining open communication and updating processes. Technology teams are often very siloed. It’s important for companies to bring the larger technology team into strategy and higher-level conversations, bridging the knowledge and understanding gap between business and technology. This often results in greater innovation. – Chloe Alpert, Enobl
3. Embrace the new process
The best way for companies to support their technology teams is to be agile in their approach to methodologies and open to new ways of doing things. Often, new technologies become available to streamline operations and communications, but adoption is slow due to technophobia on the part of management. Be open to new technologies being introduced when appropriate, even if they are unfamiliar. – Henry Kurkowski, eWireless
4. Use AI tools
Tech companies can focus on encouraging the use of artificial intelligence tools for their employees. Don’t just create policies to steer clear of their use due to regulatory or privacy concerns, but provide sane and compliant parameters to help teams learn how best to use AI to drive efficiency. AI is as transformative as it was when it was first made public in the 1990s, and it’s here to stay. – Sabina Pons, Growth Molecules
5. Encourage up-to-date training
Ensure your tech team has the latest training and development they need to always perform at their best. AI and blockchain are some of the new buzzwords. Determine if new technology directions are right for your company and ensure your team is properly trained and certified in them. – Zain Jaffer, Zain Ventures
6. Offer innovation leave
I propose innovation sabbaticals: more structured, regular vacations during which technical team members can explore personal projects and new technologies unrelated to their regular work. The initiative aims to blend professional development with psychological recovery. Inevitably, creativity is boosted and at the same time personal technical knowledge and skills are updated. – Dr. Kira Graves, Kira Graves Consulting
7. Listen to your technical team
It’s important to be proactive and listen to your technical team to stay on top of cutting edge ways to improve. Our technical team adopted this approach several years ago with great results. – Tammy Sons, Tn Nursery
8. Promote continuous learning
In today’s technology-driven world, companies can better support their tech teams by encouraging continuous learning. Provide professional development opportunities. By investing in training programs, workshops, and certifications, companies can ensure their tech teams stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies, fostering innovation and growth within the organization. – Anna Yusim, MD, Yusim Psychiatry, Consulting, Executive Coaching
9. Make time for experiments
Encourage experimentation. Many technical teams enjoy tinkering. Having permission to experiment “on the job” provides a productive and enjoyable counterpoint to executing business activities. Experimentation often fosters camaraderie, which pays off in other ways. – Karen Mangia, The Engineered Innovation Group
10. Change unhealthy habits
Recognize and address unhealthy habits prevalent among tech teams, such as excessive screen time, that can lead to burnout and disengagement. It’s common for employees to get swamped with projects and deadlines and neglect their health in the process. But this all-or-nothing approach is not sustainable. Companies need to encourage a workable balance between perseverance and resilience. – Leah Marone, Corporate Wellness Consultant
11. Hire a liaison
Technical teams need help communicating with non-technical people. It can be hard for technical experts to understand what their non-technical colleagues are thinking. Investing in a “translator” like a good project manager who connects different teams can go a long way to avoid misunderstandings and reduce pressure on technical teams. – Krisztina Veres, Veres Career Consulting
12. Address the skills gap
Ongoing training helps address existing skills gaps within your team. Making it a priority ensures that all members are proficient and able to effectively meet the demands of projects. – Britton Block, Navy Federal
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, seeking common ground and finding connections.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, seeking common ground and finding connections.
