Robert Strohmeyer recently wrote an article
for PC World which addressed how work groups maximize productivity through the
use of social technology. The problem he
addresses isn’t the technology itself or the complex business projects and
processes which demand so much time and effort.
The real challenge companies face in achieving results at work lies in
workers (or perhaps more specifically, management) who have not learned how to
communicate and collaborate using social mediums.
He says, “The harder work lies in changing your
company's culture to embrace social tools and use them effectively. That's an ongoing,
iterative process, and one that will likely engage your best minds as you bring
your least digitally engaged thinkers up to speed and build raise the baseline
expectation of social productivity within your organization”
Robert is right. Business happens everywhere at every
time. There are few good reasons to
tether all of your staff to a cubicle and a strict schedule in order to work on
the same projects. Maximizing the use of
cloud technology and social communication tools, staff can be contributing to
work faster and more effectively than ever before. In fact, this approach saves the company
money and increases employee engagement.
My experience with the late
adopters shows an embarrassment over not already knowing the new technologies
or not being able to learn them as quickly.
Another challenge is stubbornness towards changing their daily practices
and habits. However, it is also my
experience, from a training perspective, that once we help the late adopters
identify their barriers and then receive personalized training, that they
become enthusiastic users and even evangelists for the new way.
Companies can no longer wait
and say, “Let’s see where this social collaboration goes”. They global economy has already embraced
these methods and we must now approach the issue by documenting how employees
do their jobs and how those steps can be helped with asynchronous or social
technology and change how work is done.
Further, we must implement effective training plans that reach out to
users at all levels and shows them how to change the way they work. Pairing efficiency audits and training programs produce
powerful results!
Let us be trainers and
educators who reach out to the decision makers and help them transition their
work to fit into the modern era of collaboration, communication, and results.
Link to Article:
http://www.itworld.com/unified-communications/260106/social-collaboration-and-asynchronous-workplace
Credit for Graphic:
