Connect Fall 2019 | Page 5

ASK YOURSELF: ARE YOUR TEAMS READY FOR A CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION? Cross-functional collaboration, done right, can lead to big ideas, increased employee satisfaction and education, improved teamwork, and, ultimately, explosive innovation. Ask yourself these questions to help your team work better, together: WHAT IS YOUR GOAL? A clear goal is the basis for any type of innovation, but is especially important when it comes to cross-functional collaboration. Make sure you clearly establish for any teams involved what the ultimate goal of the collaboration is. A unified team with a clear goal will move more quickly and efficiently than a purposeless team. WHO PLAYS WHAT ROLE? When it comes to cross-functional collaboration, clarity is key. Is one team leading the charge? Are both teams equally responsible for the same role? Or do the teams handle different pieces of the project? Regardless of your answer, if your team doesn’t know it, different expectations might lead to tension or confusion. DO YOUR TEAMS HAVE THE NECESSARY TOOLS AND SKILLSETS? Collaborating across roles and functions (or even across time zones) can present unique challenges. Consider whether your teams have experience communicating—whether in-person or via email or other tools—and brainstorming with groups that may have a different vocabulary, method, or understanding of the best way to communicate. Is your team having trouble with cross-functional collaboration? Visit connect.snb.com/collaborations to learn more about overcoming your cross-functional conundrums. Competitive A C C O U N TA B I L I T Y Bridging the gap between receivables and your payroll is a difficulty faced by many business owners. Payroll out- sourcing services can help you manage disruptions in cash flow while delivering payroll financing that is accurate, on time, and in compliance with ever- changing regulations. Payroll financing specialists at Sterling National Bank work with a variety of industries, providing a suite of products and services that can be tailored to meet your company’s unique needs. Here are just a few ways your company can benefit from payroll outsourcing: Increase Cash Flow Even if customers are taking a little longer to pay their invoices, your capital can still work for you. Whether you need to finance new equipment or fund your payroll, Sterling has you covered when your cash is tight. Conserve Time and Focus Recordkeeping, payroll processing, and tax management are time-consuming responsibilities that can prevent you from growing your business. Payroll financing services can take care of these tasks while you concentrate on generating revenue, recruiting the best workforce, and building your client base. Expand Your Network When you partner with Sterling, you leverage a dedicated team of savvy staffing professionals that has built a network of nationwide resources ready to assist. For more information about how payroll financing can position your company for growth, read Sterling National Bank’s white paper, “Payroll Financing and Administrative Services: Outsourcing for Agility and Growth” at connect.snb.com/payroll-financing. RANKED ONE OF FORBES' BEST BANKS OF 2019 // CONNECT INNOVATION FALL 2019 // SNB.COM 5