It’s no secret that the main idea behind team collaboration is the idea of open communication. If you’re team isn’t communicating, you’re team isn’t collaborating either. So you need to make sure you find a solution that facilitates this communication between your team members.

One of the most efficient and effective ways to hold conversations in through online discussions. Rather than holding meetings or having phone calls where notes may or may not be taken correctly, online discussions allow team members to stay connected and talk about anything related to their business or the projects they are working on.

Effective team collaboration can be achieved through online discussions because of a variety of factors.

Online is instantaneous
It’s true that phone conversations are instantaneous as well, but when chatting with teammates in a discussion thread or an online chat room, your communications are being consumed in a different format. These instantaneous conversations also allow participants the chance to think about what they are going to say, type it out, and edit as necessary, rather than saying the first thing that comes to mind.

Conversations are documented and stored
When typing in a chat room or online discussion board, your conversation is being documented. They are also stored for future reference, unlike phone conversations and meetings, when the words are spoken but not recorded.

Communication happens around the item at hand
Rather than taking the conversation away from the project you are working on, you can ask questions and get clarification around the item itself. The right collaboration tools will allow instant communications to take place around a specific item so your work and conversation are kept in one place.

Online discussions connect all teammates
If you’re a part of the increasing trend in virtual offices, or you have clients and customers that are based out of town, you can use discussions to connect them all online. This reduces the communication barriers put up by distance and can make your business more global than you thought possible.

Conversations are cost-effective
Rather than spending money to travel for face-to-face meetings or racking up long distance charges and minutes on cell phones, online conversations are free. These types of solutions have helped reduce business costs greatly, and can make your business more ‘green’.

When you are choosing your online team collaboration solution, make sure you find one that includes the ability to hold online discussions. They will help your team communicate efficiently in your business, so the best work gets done the right way.