E-Business
Unleashing the Power of Cross-Functional Collaboration to Thrive in Modern Business Landscape
By Martin Effiong, Senior Operator Partnerships Executive at Infobip
In the dynamic landscape of contemporary business, team-based work and cross-functional projects are rapidly replacing traditional organisational structures, with an increasing number of leading-edge organisations embracing collaboration-driven models.
Martin Effiong, Senior Operator Partnerships Executive at Infobip
The days of isolated departments working independently are disappearing as companies recognise the benefits of diverse expertise and cross-functional collaboration, leading to greater creativity, innovation, and agility, which ultimately translate to better performance of the organisation as a whole.
As a result, business leaders are compelled to optimise their environments to support teamwork, especially given the growing demand for seamless collaboration and its documented benefits. By forming cross-functional teams – which by their very nature break down departmental barriers, eliminate the silo mentality between departments and leverage collective intelligence – organisations can significantly improve their problem-solving and decision-making processes.
Generally speaking, collaboration-driven organisational models result in increased productivity, agility, enhanced innovation, faster transformation, resource optimisation and a rich idea bank, emanating from diverse perspectives. Essentially, cross-functional collaboration, driven by effective communication and shared goals, empowers organisations to achieve greater productivity, innovation and adaptability.
Enabling corporate culture
Fostering effective cross-functional collaboration requires business leaders to consider several critical factors while acting deliberately to achieve collaboration, such as encouraging open communication among team members to allow for the free flow of ideas and feedback. While a strong and positive corporate culture is key to driving the adoption of collaborative work models, an organisational structure that does not support cross-functional collaborative engagement can actively work against its uptake and adoption.
Therefore, it is imperative for organisations to proactively create an environment that encourages mutual support and collaboration among team members, ultimately elevating job satisfaction and teamwork. By reinforcing a shared purpose among team members, everyone can be aligned towards shared goals and objectives. This alignment not only promotes a sense of commitment but also encourages active participation from team members, ensuring their involvement in various team activities.
From a technology perspective, cloud technologies are key to enabling the successful and effective adoption of collaboration-driven work models. Cloud plays a critical role in revolutionising and empowering the modern workforce by providing the tools, services and connectivity quality that enhances corporate flexibility and security, thus catalysing collaboration.
Cloud-based solutions not only allow businesses to scale effectively on demand and optimise demand management but also enhance collaboration by facilitating remote access to company resources, fostering richer levels of media enabled collaboration among employees. All these attributes of cloud technology result in streamlined remote work processes, easier remote team management and the reduction of time-consuming manual tasks.
The pivotal role of communication platform providers
Providers of cloud-based communication platforms play a pivotal role in assisting business leaders in optimising their environments for effective cross-functional teamwork. They achieve this through a variety of means, spanning from offering cloud-based services like SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solutions, to delivering data-driven industry insights, trends and forecasts derived from comprehensive analytics and cross-market expertise.
The shift towards cross-functional collaboration has seen leading communication platform providers adapt their solutions to support cross-functional collaboration and evolving business needs through various strategies. For example, by promoting a hybrid approach to solution deployment, communication providers can support cross-functional teams that manage digital communication within organisations with the benefits of cloud-based hosting, as well as ensure compliance for businesses that require local hosting.
Ultimately, the success of cross-functional collaboration within an organisation is largely dependent on an enabling corporate culture, as well as the right choice of collaboration services and solution providers. Organisations should strive to partner with globally connected and reputable providers with a wealth of global market experience knowledge base, best practices, recommendations, and insights to leverage on.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mastercard to enhance data protection in Nigeria.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commissioner, NDPC and Derek Ho,deputy chief privacy officer, Mastercard
The agreement was sealed during a workshop where 150 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) were trained on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commissioner, NDPC, said the event kicks off activities for the 8th NADPA conference, highlighting government efforts to train more certified DPOs.
Olatunji also disclosed the Federal Government’s commitment to increasing the number of certified DPOs with the required skills to manage data protection.
He noted that Nigeria’s digital-savvy youth are key to driving this agenda.
“Human capital is really key to us, and the ecosystem we are regulating is very special. It is still new, still emerging, and we need all we can to build the capacity of officers.
“We want to build the capacity of our people so we can be able to deliver on our mandate and fully deepen privacy in Nigeria.
“We are targeting to build the capacity of 250,000 DPOs annually, and we are working with partners like Mastercard to achieve that,” he said.
Derek Ho,deputy chief privacy officer, Mastercard, also stressed the need for collaboration to build trust in the digital economy and urged participants to embrace training as data protection keeps evolving.
Central Securities Clearing System PLC (CSCS) has announced the launch of *7270#, its Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code service, set to go live on May 8th, 2025.
The USSD code service is an innovative solution designed to enhance the ease and accessibility of investment services for all users.
Also, this service leverages the network capabilities of MTN Nigeria to bring unparalleled convenience to investors.
Driven by a relentless commitment to innovation, CSCS aims to revolutionize information access within the Nigerian capital market through this USSD code service.
As the Central Securities Depository (CSD), CSCS focuses on enhancing investor experiences and providing deeper market insights with unparalleled convenience.
The CSCS USSD code service offers seamless access to essential market information directly from mobile phones, eliminating the need for internet connectivity or specialized trading platforms.
Investors can now effortlessly retrieve Clearing House Number (CHN), check Direct Cash Settlement (DCS) status, view stock positions, account balances, and account status confirmations.
Haruna Jalo-Waziri, managing director/chief executive officer of CSCS, said ” We are excited to launch the *7270# USSD code service, a significant step in leveraging mobile technology to democratize access to account and portfolio information.
“This service empowers every investor, regardless of their location or resources, to stay informed about their investments. At CSCS, we believe that financial inclusivity is key to driving economic growth.
“Our partnership with MTN Nigeria on this project represents a significant leap toward a more inclusive financial landscape, leveraging the spread of the MTN network.
“This collaboration enhances the investing experience, reinforcing our shared commitment to empowering individuals with the tools they need to manage their financial futures effectively.” he added.
The CSCS USSD code service will initially be available to MTN users only. However, CSCS plans to expand this service to other networks soon.
This innovative service offers investors streamlined and secure access to critical market information at their fingertips.
Aisha Umar Mumuni, chief digital officer of MTN Nigeria, said, “This collaboration with CSCS on the *7270# USSD service underscores MTN’s commitment to harnessing the power of mobile technology to simplify complex processes for our users.
“By making critical investment information available at the touch of a button, we are helping to democratize access to the capital markets and, in the process, enhance investor engagement and market transparency,” she said.
CSCS continues to lead the way in technological advancements, reinforcing its position as a pivotal player in the Nigerian capital market ecosystem.
This initiative underscores our dedication to enhancing market efficiency and empowering investors with the tools they need for informed decision-making.
The need to maximise local digital assets, amid dwindling Oil revenues and a struggling economy, has been reiterated by the Chief Executive Officer of Quomodo Systems Africa, Oluwole Asalu, who maintained this measure remains the path to prosperity.
Asalu, while addressing the press in Lagos, recently asserted that global shift towards digital economies, presents a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria at this time to mobilise sufficient resources towards effective governance.
He emphasised harnessing the burgeoning local digital economy to expedite national diversification goals, while break away from overdependence on oil output.
Asalu, boasted further that Nigeria’s tech-savvy, youthful population and increasing recognition from global tech giants already position its digital sector as a driver of inclusive growth and job creation.
“Nigeria’s overreliance on oil is no longer tenable. As global markets shift towards renewable energy, the urgency to diversify has never been greater. Technology stands out as the most promising avenue, not merely as a sector, but as an enabler of growth across all facets of the economy,” he explained.
According to him, Nigeria’s tech talent remains the new oil, a renewable resource with the potential for significant returns, if strategically harnessed.
Like India’s successes in information technology services, Asalu want Nigeria to tap into lucrative outsourcing industry to draw foreign investment.
“Foreign investment in Nigeria’s tech sector is rising. Programmes like Digital Explorers have led European firms such as Telesoft to establish operations in Nigeria. Tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook have followed suit, injecting capital and creating jobs,” he stated.
He again pointed to the emergence of three unicorns within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem as a breakthrough and sign of maturity.
“Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is already showing signs of maturity, with three unicorns emerging from its soil. These success stories, powered by local innovation, underscore the viability of a home-grown, world-class tech sector,” he affirmed.
He however emphasized urgent need to close existing gap in skills and infrastructure, in addition to embracing governance and collaboration to fully harness digital potential cum future.
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