When I think of social media tools and capabilities for the enterprise, I am thinking about better communication and collaboration capabilities. What are the important factors that your enterprise is trying to accomplish? Global company trying to improve collaboration within the team? Knowledge capture and management? Better communications? Finding experts? Cool new tools that others are using? What is it that makes you want to change what you are doing today? Get your answer(s)… Since this is not “new” anymore – there is plenty of information (and suppliers) to help.

Here are the items that I believe need to be done to make this transition successful…

• Pull in your HR, IT and business unit teams to spend the right amount of time drafting and finalizing your social media policies. Nothing worse than going down to the path of implementation and then being hit with the IT Security or HR policies roadblocks. They are there – just include them right off the bat.
• Make sure that you are looking at tools and capabilities that integrate together. Don’t be looking for another stand alone solution. Of course, don’t be looking at that potential one-size fits all model either. Look for a platform that you can build on. You can add “best in class” solutions or the platform supplier does. Either way – you win!
• Gauge how supportive your senior management team is with this endeavor. Are they receptive to changing how things get done? Do they feel okay with more challenging of the status quo? How thick is their skin? How about the ROI monkey? Leaders are supposed to removed roadblocks, but sometimes they like to leave the speed bumps in.
• Start small and move fast. Goes back to an earlier comment. Don’t try to find the one-size fits all. Making a huge change will not go over well. Start small, start with the capabilities that are most often lacking (by listening to the user base). Get that in, make it work, make it fit within the normal workflow and go fast.
• Take advantage of the “evangelists!” You know, the folks that jump at a chance to use “new” capabilities, that adopt early and really see how to make things work. Get them from the individual departments to help train and communicate success.
• Stay your course. It is too easy to get distracted by upper management, a shiny “new” capability or feel progress is moving slower than you want. Once more people get into using and adopting these tools the better off your company will be – you will see.

I know this is not new to many folks… Those folks and I have had plenty of war-story discussions together. I felt like I had to take that interview question and writing it down – As I thought I gave a pretty good (not 100% – did not mention suppliers) complete answer.

I got to listen to plenty of challenges from each group that I have worked with. They basically came down to the following statements:

• There is no consistent way to capture information or content.
• There are lots of tools to use, which one is best for me? Or my team?
• I have too many distractions today; meetings that fill up my complete calendar, emails that just go on and on, instant messages and every once and awhile the phone will ring.
• Social computing is not work… It is social… (I guess that is why using Enterprise 2.0 saves you from having to listen to social computing confusion)

To help the teams understand better what is meant by this I found that Terry Starbucker’s 7 Essential Truths About Social Media very helpful. For the internal purposes I used and/or modified about 5 of them – fitting the audience that I was dealing with.

• It’s not a “strategy” (it’s just a tool to communicate)
• It’s not going to fix all that ails your business units problems (no silver bullets)
• It will open up your world (just have to be open to making changes)
• It will expose some basic communication weaknesses (so, be careful when you jump in).
• It’s not going away (so, learn how to use it).

Usually after going over these truths and the examples that fit each one of them I can assess if this particular team is going to be resptive to making the necessary changes and work needed to be successful using the tools at their disposal. The other day, I was blessed with a quote from the team manager that just blew me away. “We are too busy with work, to work on reducing our workload.” I kid you not! Making changes take time and effort (work). I am willing to help, but I can not be the one that does it all… Almost all of the team needs to be a change agent to make this work. Not everyone, there will always be nay-sayers, but once they see how successful this is making the others or truly reducing their workload – they will come around, they always do. Just need a group that is willing to learn, open their eyes to dream how things could be and then work towards that dream.

Success rate overall, is still coming in. This takes time! Time to get moving, time to keep moving and getting the desired results that the team is looking for. I right now, have to say – this has been about a 50/50 split! My first months of starts, were with everyone that came knocking for help. The second month, I am only taking on those that are willing to give it a serious go. So, maybe my success rate will go up. I only have one month left – so, it better!

I do still love that title! I really enjoy the role… Maybe I can continue this role someplace else soon.

Related articles

• E L S U A ~ A KM Blog Thinking Outside The Inbox by Luis Suarez ” Enterprise 2.0: Two Success Stories on Connecting People with People to Make a Difference! (elsua.net)

Here is the laundry list of stuff I missed…

• I have more phone numbers stored on my smartphone from my personal directory. That when I needed to make a couple of calls (unlisted numbers) during the day at work, I did not have the numbers. Getting them after hours only meant I will have to wait 24 hours.
• Using unplanned time (or stealing time) for many things.. You know those times you are stuck in traffic, the supermarket, shopping or sitting at home and don’t want to fire up the PC.
  • Emails – this is a great way to get the inbox under some control. Filling empty time with answering email. Or giving someone the answer to their question.
  • Facebook – nothing like keeping family and friends up on your doings. Or finding out what is happening with them.
  • Twitter – those random thoughts that pop into your head. Or those weird things that are happening out in the world that need to be shared. There is much that happens that is not planned.
  • LinkedIn- since I am busy looking for employment after my retirement, I had 3 days without any instant contact. I don’t plan time to sit down and review LinkedIn and the groups I follow.
• Foursquare- No checkin’s over the past 3 days. I was already ousted from one mayor-ship. Oh no, I may lose a few more… Maybe some of my “friends” may think I am stuck at the last checked in place for 3 days. Well, maybe not, no one came to rescue me…
• No way to take down or record notes on potential blog posts. Missed opportunities!
• Ran into an old friend while eating lunch on Monday. I did not have a way to just point and click – he has my contact information (and I get his). I felt pretty alone asking for a pen and paper…
• Trying to locate a restaurant that you know the name, but just not the location. Search the web – get the directions or phone number to get directions.

 It has been a rough couple of days… I missed my smartphone…

I have been a manager too long, because I can not just sit back. I have to have goals to accomplish for this time off. So, here are the list of goals that I have set for myself.

• Couple of vacations! Everyone needs a break. During this break, I want to go to places I have never been. A previous post – I mentioned it. These trips will give me an opportunity to write more, try out some new gadgets and do some reading.
• Network more. I will be missing Enterprise 2.0 this year. Always look forward to Boston in June. Really miss getting together with the folks. Will have to fill that void with other things.
• Home front list. Have to attack that list. Closet, carpet and backyard. Only 3 things,but if I get 2 done – I will be happy.
• End of July is back to school. This year, I will be able to help out more.
• Spending time with family!

There is much to do, but I have time. At least it seems that way now.

Everything that we have internally, is due in late part of her efforts and leadership. Having been so close, I completely understand how hard this effort has been. She has had to move mountains. The hurdles that this program has had to jump through have been big. Laurie has done this, with a smile and a can do attitude. I just hope that the next person can keep the torch going.

Laurie – here is my big thank-you to you personally for a job that has been difficult, but you have really done well. The direction is set. Thanks. I am also taking this opportunity to wish you well in the future.