By Michael Briggin
As challenges in the global economy continue to evolve, so does the need for organizations to rethink their strategy.
Whether you’re sticking with the office environment as it used to be, blending in a hybrid mix or going mostly remote, it’s still important to look at what organizational structure can do to increase more productivity for your company.
Know What Organizational Structure Fits Your Needs
Every company is different. What may work for a large technology company may not apply the same way as a bank.
If you’re a startup that’s early in the lifecycle phase, you might consider a flat structure given your head count is small and operations haven’t quite become as expansive or complex just yet.
If your organization is a larger technology company where employees will need to report to more than one manager, a matrix structure goes in handy here. This environment presents a more flexible work environment that’s less driven by hierarchy.
If you’re a more traditional kind of company that’s not in the technology space and are looking for a more fixed, structured environment, a functional structure sets everything up with each department being separate. Each department is run by a single manager.
How Departments Can Work Together
Depending on your structure, it’s important to still keep communication and productivity high in order for your organization to succeed in its goals.
Consider emphasizing cross-functional communication and team meetings. The more this is emphasized, the more can be accomplished.
Being Creative With Leadership And Managerial Responsibilities
Although an organization’s department is usually led by at least one manager, being collaborative can get a lot more done depending on the objectives.
As an example, normally in most companies, marketing and sales are two separate departments. However, because both of them reinforce each other in terms of their functions, having them work more closely with each other may help marketing goals be more practical from a revenue standpoint.
Managers in each department don’t have to just give orders. They can lead in more than just their own department.