Facilitate Proceedings » Web 2.0 http://facilitate.com/blog Thu, 15 Jul 2010 01:46:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Matching Technology Tools to Collaboration Style http://facilitate.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/matching-technologytools-to-collaboration-style/ http://facilitate.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/matching-technologytools-to-collaboration-style/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:21:16 +0000 Danuta McCall http://facilitate.com/blog/?p=1117 Using technology to improve workforce collaboration” (authors James Manyika, Kara Sprague and Lareina Yee). A new class of worker: the Collaboration Worker The authors recast the workforce sector known as Knowledge Workers (a venerable term coined by Peter Drucker in the mid 20th century) in terms of what most non-production or transaction workers do: collaborate to solve problems, nurture ideas, serve customers and engage with partners. Their research reveals that “the performance gap between top and bottom companies in collaboration-intense sectors is nine times that of production- or transaction-intense sectors”. It follows then that productivity improvements in this sector of the workforce could have a significant impact on the bottom line. As we have a plethora of collaboration tools available to us today, we’ve got ourselves a real opportunity to nail this one. Right? Yes (the article describes how Cisco saved more than $100 million in travel and business expenses and increased productivity by 78 percent), and it’s not quite that simple. ]]> I just read an interesting article published by eminent consulting firm McKinsey & Company entitled “Using technology to improve workforce collaboration” (authors James Manyika, Kara Sprague and Lareina Yee).

A new class of worker: the Collaboration Worker

The authors recast the workforce sector known as Knowledge Workers (a venerable term coined by Peter Drucker in the mid 20th century) in terms of what most non-production or transaction workers do: collaborate to solve problems, nurture ideas, serve customers and engage with partners. Their research reveals that “the performance gap between top and bottom companies in collaboration-intense sectors is nine times that of production- or transaction-intense sectors”. It follows then that productivity improvements in this sector of the workforce could have a significant impact on the bottom line. As we have a plethora of collaboration tools available to us today, we’ve got ourselves a real opportunity to nail this one. Right? Yes (the article describes how Cisco saved more than $100 million in travel and business expenses and increased productivity by 78 percent), and it’s not quite that simple.

]]> http://facilitate.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/matching-technologytools-to-collaboration-style/feed/ 0 Hand-Held Devices Offer New Meeting Design Options http://facilitate.com/blog/index.php/2009/08/hand-held-devices-offer-new-meeting-design-options/ http://facilitate.com/blog/index.php/2009/08/hand-held-devices-offer-new-meeting-design-options/#comments Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:37:22 +0000 Mike McCall http://facilitate.com/blog/?p=652 Just as computer keyboard skills were once an inhibiting factor in using technology for collaboration, is there a similar concern with Smart Phones, Blackberries, iPhones, iPod Touch’s or phone keypad devices? Back in the very early 90’s, when I first started exploring the use of computers for collaborative work, there were a number of technical issues. Of course, in those days we had the usual issues of reliable networking, software and hardware infrastructure to support collaborative environments. As challenging as these were however, the tougher issue for most organizations to address was whether managers and executives would resist participating in online collaboration if it meant that they needed to contribute via a computer keyboard. ]]> Just as computer keyboard skills were once an inhibiting factor in using technology for collaboration, is there a similar concern with Smart Phones, Blackberries, iPhones, iPod Touch’s or phone keypad devices?

Back in the very early 90’s, when I first started exploring the use of computers for collaborative work, there were a number of technical issues. Of course, in those days we had the usual issues of reliable networking, software and hardware infrastructure to support collaborative environments. As challenging as these were however, the tougher issue for most organizations to address was whether managers and executives would resist participating in online collaboration if it meant that they needed to contribute via a computer keyboard.

]]> http://facilitate.com/blog/index.php/2009/08/hand-held-devices-offer-new-meeting-design-options/feed/ 4 Where Facilitation and Social Networks Intersect http://facilitate.com/blog/index.php/2009/05/intersection-of-facilitation-and-social-networks/ http://facilitate.com/blog/index.php/2009/05/intersection-of-facilitation-and-social-networks/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 10:25:15 +0000 Editor http://facilitate.com/blog/?p=87 An essential aspect of the philosophy behind social media is community ownership of information. The advantages of this are the wide ranging input contributed by interactive members and the speed at which responses appear when the network is active. The disadvantages lie in the uncertainty about the accuracy of the information that is put out and the difficulty of sifting through the sprawl to find what is relevant to you. It becomes challenging to maintain focus, direction and deliberation.

How do social media really impact collaboration? Sharing information builds relationships around a common interest. From this “community of interest” can emerge a collaborative solution or work product. What transforms it from community sharing to collaboration is an outcome-oriented facilitation process. And that’s where facilitators come into the picture.
Several facilitators weigh in.

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