As organizations become more collaborative by implementing enterprise social networking tools, many are finding it difficult to get beyond simply providing employees another Facebook-like experience. The aim of these new ESN tools is to enable business users to tap into the collective intelligence of an enterprise to get work done in new and faster ways, which can lead to greater efficiency and better business results.
It's true, certainly, that social networking has boomed in the consumer market and that enterprise social media tools are still struggling to gain purchase among organizations -- especially those organizations that are unsure of the best ways to apply the technology to business operations.
According to industry reports, 2011 saw the consumer social networking scales tip as more than half of all U.S. adults regularly turned to social networking sites to connect with family, friends, and yes, even fellow professionals. On the business side, however, Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester Research Inc. reported that only 12% of information workers have access to ESN technology and just 8% of them use ESN at least once a week. That's expected to change, and quickly, over the next few years with some forecasts estimating that use of enterprise social media software will grow by a compounded 42.4% rate through 2015, according to market research firm IDC in Framingham, Mass.
Though many organizations have already realized the enterprise collaboration benefits of social media, others remain skeptical and worry that the tools will provide nothing more than a virtual water cooler where personal gossip is exchanged, but little if any work gets done.
On the contrary, businesses large and small that have carefully planned, deployed and managed enterprise social networks report that their workforces and partners have become more collaborative and have developed into cohesive business teams.
This guide to enterprise social media and collaboration management provides supporting evidence for that argument in the form of case studies about successful social media and enterprise collaboration implementations. It also includes expert tips on planning and managing such initiatives, instructive videos about the benefits organizations can reap from their enterprise social networks, and articles about the latest trends in social media and collaboration for the enterprise. It should be especially informative for those IT and content management professionals who are curious about how best to introduce enterprise social networking to their companies. It also provides practical information on how organizations can develop a strong business case for investing in enterprise social networking technologies and set up a program and manage the deployment process.
Table of contents:
Enterprise social media glossary of terms
With spending on the enterprise social market expected to increase steadily to an estimated $4.5 billion by 2016, it makes sense to get a firm understanding of the enterprise collaboration and social media universe. But before getting that far, gaining a firm understanding of some terminology also makes sense.
Latest news, advice and trends in social media and collaboration
The enterprise social media world is full of false starts and success stories. The analysts and consultants in the collaboration and social media space have lots of good advice. Here's a selection of the best of it.
Enterprise social networks offer value with better collaboration
Tips for success in enterprise social media tool adoption
Know when to invest in an enterprise social network
For effective enterprise collaboration strategy, everyone should be on board
Collaboration and social media case studies
Stories about broken guitars notwithstanding, examples of smart enterprise social media management and new ways of collaborating are offered here for inspiration as you consider a social networking strategy.
MLB goes the cloud collaboration route for rich media management
'Extreme' social media strategy spurs TV success
Cimarex opts for Accellion enterprise collaboration instead of SharePoint
Expert interviews and opinions on social media and collaboration
Learn actionable tips with this collection of conversations with recognized leaders in the field of collaboration, social media and information management.
Jacob Morgan talks social media technology, how email is glorified chat, and more
#OccupyIT writer says enterprise social media signals new business era
Four experts discuss pros of social media technologies for enterprises
SharePoint governance expert Susan Hanley examines deployment plans
Prepare a formal enterprise social media strategy for business success
SharePoint collaboration cache
The SharePoint collaboration platform is a very popular system among many enterprises. This collection of stories points out why that is and explains where gaps exist within SharePoint functionality.
Open source tools make SharePoint collaboration affordable
SharePoint 2010 infrastructure tested by far-flung organizations
Cimarex gives Accellion enterprise collaboration the nod
SharePoint 2010 deployment counts on proper change management
Training takes center stage in SharePoint 2010 strategy among users
ISVs focus on workflow, analytics in SharePoint 2010 collaboration
Cloud collaboration and SaaS
As cloud applications continue to interest those looking for technology to solve business issues, some organizations have seen their way to using cloud collaboration for the enterprise.
Customizable SharePoint Online is part of Office 365 cloud product
Cloud security addressed by SpringCM mobile content management
Additional reading on enterprise collaboration
Take a look at these book chapter excerpts that offer expert knowledge about enterprise collaboration subjects.
Key business drivers kick off successful enterprise collaboration
SharePoint governance is essential part of smart implementation
Video guide to social media and enterprise collaboration technology
These interviews with analysts and expert consultants explain some of the ways that enterprise social networks and targeted collaboration can help business processes and generally improve the way work is done.