Collaboration: The software is important, but not the most important part

So, we’ve seen the discussion of how important collaboration is when it comes to an enterprise fully adapting to 2.0 mode. So what is the most important part we are leaving out? I think we commonly overlook the people that allow the collaboration to happen. In James Robertson’s newest paper he highlights why the people are important.

First off, Robertson points out that a corporation should not give the tools to collaborate to everyone in the corporation. Why? This is because everyone will not understand how to use them. The tools should be given to those who already collaborate on a regular basis. These employees who do not will see the benefits of collaboration and slowly adapt the tools. Only once these individuals have learned to use these tools, their success will spread across the enterprise and the process and software will be more likely to be adapted throughout the corporation.

For collaboration tools to be used, the opportunity must present itself to the employees. Managers should be able to identify the need to collaborate and then give the opportunities to the employees. Collaboration can happen both in divisions and cross divisions. The collaboration must also fit in the right place in the company culture. After these two things are in place, then the collaboration software set up to provide the most benefit.

According to Robertson, the third step to full collaboration is social networking. Since the tools are in place with collaborating, the next step is allowing employees to network with each other. Robertson believes the most important part to this is allowing experts to be identified and that their contacts are highlighted within the social network.