I've gotten a few questions lately on an older post of mine about using Web 2.0 tools inside the company firewall. One of those queries came in the form of an email from Michelle Rafter. Michelle writes for Inc. Technology and wrote a post specifically dealing with how companies are using or can use Social Networking tools internal.
Now that companies use social networking to connect with the outside world, more are bringing the same technology in-house. It doesn't have to take a lot of time, effort or money to get started.
The article is a quick but good read, be sure to check it out (and I'm not just saying that because she quotes me
The other question I get is not just how to deploy the tools (probably since most people responsible for this aren't the technical person) but what should be the topic? There are two answers I have for this: Pick one thing or Anything.
Obviously this isn't an either or scenario but largely it depends on your company. At HP, the skies the limit. Want a team blog to share code updates? Yep, got it. Want a wiki page to organize the next site party? Do you need a Share Point space to collaborate and share documents? Want a personal blog to talk about how you disagree with some new corporate policy? It's there.
This works for large companies like HP because there's enough internal demand for these tools coming from Web savvy employees that if HP didn't provide a forum we'd go find our own.
For some companies starting off with a C-level blog is a great entry point. Or start with one work group using an internal wiki. The key is to not force it. The topic should be driven by a need to collaborate.
Anyone else out there have an example of internal use of new media at your company?
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