Bottom-up Enterprise 2.0 only goes so far
It’s often advised that Enterprise 2.0 initiatives have more chance when coming from the bottom of organisations. For good reasons too: Enterprise 2.0 is all about empowering people, but often requiring radical changes in the way they work and relate together, both with their peers and with management. In terms of both testing what works and getting the tools accepted in the workplace the best way could then very well be to start low, small and with a few frontrunners or potential evangelists.
However, after a couple of experiments at work I now have a feeling that bottom-up Enterprise 2.0 has its own limitations, especially when critical mass is important to show the potential benefits (to employees and management) and tools don’t readily overflow with personal value (it’s not all Del.icio.us!) and when people are in the pursuit of busyness.
Or did we do our experiments wrong, actually violating the rules stipulated above (with the obvious benefit of hindsight)? Maybe more called for, to get some participation?
Writing this, I was remembered by a quote of Andrew McAfee:
Enterprise 2.0 is not a hype, but it is also not easy, and will serve to separate the winners from the loser” (link)
And:
I predict that the diffusion of these tools is going to sharpen differences among companies as some work to foster the new styles, modes, and practices of collaboration and others work (subtly or overtly) to squelch them. (link)
What are your experiences?
Related: my other Enterprise 2.0 articles
Technorati tags: Andrew McAfee, Social Software, Enterpriseweb2.0, Enterprise2.0, Web 2.0, Intranet, Participation
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posted Apr 16, 09:39 pm on Apr 16, 2008 |
category: Enterprise 2.0
/ Social software
I completely agree. Bottom-up is not enough on its own (and for some organizations is may not even be right).
Whilst it is often better at encouraging a collaborative culture and ensuring the most useful systems get used, adoption happens at its own pace (which in some cases may be very slowly) and behaviours can develop that suit the individual rather than the company.
The most successful examples of Enterprise 2.0 adoption are where a bottom-up approach has been married with committed top-down support.
Niall
— Niall Cook Apr 17, 09:36 am #
Hi Niall,
Thanks for stopping by here and leaving your interesting contribution.
By the way, I am very much looking forward to your upcoming Enterprise 2.0 book. If you can spare a (“autographed”) review copy, please let me know :-))
Cheers,
Marcel
— Marcel Apr 17, 09:33 pm #
Hi Marcel,
quite some outpouring here :). But you make a point few of us want to hear. We all think Web 2.0 will change the world, but down the line, only a small percentage is truelly involved. That makes social software worthwhile, but hard to do. Technique in this is only a very small percentage.
— Martin Apr 17, 09:49 pm #
“Enterprise 2.0 is not a hype, but it is also not easy, and will serve to separate the winners from the loser” I always agree with this. This is a golden sentence!!
— Rostyslav Apr 30, 06:53 pm #