April 27, 2009

Go All In with Enterprise 2.0

My Enterprise 2.0 implementation isn't as successful as I thought it would be? I hear that statement quite a bit these days where vendors present this nirvana like vision of an open organization where information freely flows from every individual. The idea of simply loading some hardware with a collection of Web 2.0 tools and value emerges is simply a pipe dream. Implementing Enterprise 2.0 takes energy and an enormous commitment from everyone involved. So how long does it take to become an Enterprise 2.0 success story? I believe it was Thomas Watson (IBM) that answered the question of how long it takes to become great in business. His response was "one second". It happens when you decide to be great and willing to make the commitments necessary to make it happen.

You have heard it too; we selected a vendor and implemented a large farm of servers. We even have solid executive support but the implementation hasn't taken off for some reason. Could it be that you are still standing on the edge of the pool, dipping your toe to see how cold the water is? What do you say to a business customer that comes to you and says "I want to use this in my business to increase innovation, what is the solution set fro accomplishing this?" If you answer involves something along the lines of "Hmmm, err, You start with, hmmm, a wiki page and then add something..." then you have not committed to your Enterprise 2.0 effort. If instead you hand the business owner some solid documentation, ROI analysis, 2.0 patterns and even success stories then your own the right track. If they ask you how they can ensure success or at the very least get a high percentage of contribution you had better have a better comment then "beats me, I just work here".

Full commitment to Enterprise 2.0 involves more than just technology. You have to look at it as a program like any other effort for the organization. When you have a drive for United Way, do you just email folks with some URL? No, you create mailers, communication events, and you get senior management involved. You set targets, objectives, and share the vision to the entire organization. But in Enterprise 2.0, you took the Field of Dreams idea of just build it and they will come. When it doesn't happen you scratch your head and then blame the culture.

Posted by Todd at April 27, 2009 7:52 AM

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Posted by: Fredrik Matheson at April 28, 2009 6:41 AM

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