Embedded PowerPoint Video

Breaking down silo departments

There are two types of working environments. Both function on how correctly they are managed.

These employees function within defined boundaries, keeping information on a need-to-know basis.

Having this work ethic leads to a silo mentality; performing only what they need to do and not being bothered by other departments.

Silo run environment

Sense of ownership

This leads to the second environment. The total opposite. Employees are given a sense of ownership and are not constantly monitored. They make most of their decisions in their work and work as a cross-functional team.

The biggest challenge in organisational silos is getting people to stop protecting what is theirs and start sharing information. So how do we get employees to work together?

Eliminate formality

Very often, an endless chain of command is in place before the next step in work can be performed.

This takes away the employees sense of ownership of a task and possibly caring less about the work at hand.

Very often, an endless chain of command is in place before the next step in work can be performed.

Sense of ownership

By having an open plan office it allows easy flow of communication amongst one another.

Employees do not feel hen-pecked as they are given the freedom of making decisions, thus eliminating the endless chain of command.

Information sharing

Employees sometimes have an unclear understanding of the steps in the process of the work, and are not clear of the whole picture.

For example, the Sales department and the Administration department are constantly bashing heads.

Administration is trying to keep costs down and maintain low levels of inventory, whilst Sales is trying to bring as many clients in as possible, and often do not consult in Administration on stock levels. This is a very common problem in many companies.

Sense of ownership

It is important as one can get the broader picture of why each department functions the way they do. With a bit of training, they got a better understanding of each others department. Not only there is a better understanding, but employeesgain new work skills.

THANK YOU!Be sure to check out eduKazi for courses specialising in the supply chain industry.Music:http://www.bensound.com

null261607.92eng - Made with Sony ACID Pro 6.0