Collaboration Technology

Through the past few years, we have experienced an explosion of network-based technologies that enable both traditional and non-traditional teams to work collaboratively. Tools such as Twitter, blogs, and Google Docs are actually reshaping the corporate environment. They especially enhance the efforts of long-distance teams, by providing them with a central “workspace” where they can communicate their ideas. Of course, all of these different technologies have their own individual strengths and weaknesses as well. 

One concern people have now is how these collaboration technologies will ever provide the same kind of supportive environment that a traditional office or conference room might. The truth is, they may not. Obviously, learning to communicate and use technology to collaborate as a team is going to be very different than it would be in a traditional setting. Nonetheless, it can still prove to be very beneficial. According to Amy Soller from the University of Pittsburgh, as long as the team agrees on a mentor or leader “to manage and guide the collaboration, providing clear goals as to what is expected from the group process,” using collaborative technology can absolutely be successful. 

The key element to remember is that “the future of collaboration technology is people.” (1) At the CoLABoration 2010: Program for the Future, a guest asked what was missing from the current technologies for supporting collaboration. Some of the answers included the following:

• the different mindset requires more specific goals
• the human, face-to-face skills are severely lacking
• tools are often too complex and non-standardized

Simmunity.com notes that there is clearly a "consensus that current collaboration technology falls short on the people side." Most people feel that tools should be simpler to use, facilitate more face-to-face interaction, and support goal- and value-driven process. (1) Although it appears that technology has come a long way in collaborative efforts, there is definitely still work that needs to be done. 

1. http://www.simmunity.com/info/node/9

2. informaworld.com

3. http://www.mangospring.com/collaboration/business-collaboration-technologies/

What Can A Blog Do For Your Business?

Creating a blog used to be akin to writing in your journal. People would share little anecdotes, experiences, or just talk about their day. What makes blogs so different, and possibly so popular, is that they can be shared with virtually anyone in the world by being posted online. Mom is now able to see what new adventures you are having away at school, friends can view pictures from your recent travels, and grandma and grandpa get to watch videos of the baby’s first steps. Recently, however, business blogging has become increasingly popular among both small companies as well as global corporations.

Southwest Airlines, for example, has created an extremely successful blog filled with videos, images, polls, and general news. It is a great way to communicate with customers and employees, as well as community members or other stakeholders. Apple, Gap, and Borders are just a few of the companies following in Southwest’s footsteps. 

Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of a professional blog is how quick and simple it can be. Many blogging sites are free and it is easy for multiple employees to update the content as often as necessary. Furthermore, "their non-technical nature has allowed mass mainstream audiences to become fully involved with Internet communities"(3). Business blogs can also help increase brand awareness especially among young, influential consumers as a result of greater visibility on Search Engines due to the frequently updated and focused content. The availability for fast correspondence between employees and consumers can also be valuable to both parties. All of these benefits and many more help to explain why blogging is becoming such a popular operation in many firms.

1. http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/ecommerce/a/bblogs.htm

2. http://www.contentrobot.com/the-5-advantages-of-business-blogging

3. http://www.betterbusinessblogging.com/img/BetterBusinessBlogging-WhatisaBlog-BusinessIntroduction-revised.pdf

4. http://www.hosting-netexplorers.co.uk/blog/web-marketing/the-10-business-benefits-of-blogging/