Bar Camp

I was not fortunate enough to attend SocialMedia BarCamp but have read a couple blogs on the experience.  In Paige Findleman’s blog on Enterprise 2.0  she talks about the feeling of it being very unorganized.  Read her blog for more of her comments. 

It intrigued me because as long as I have been in collaboration and facilitation, there is a sense from many that collaboration can “just happen.”  That is not the case.  To have collaboration happen effectively MUCH has to be done up front.  One of the first keys in getting people to collaborate is communication and trust.  If you blow the trust factor early, the collaboration is blown as well.  As someone who has been facilitating groups to bring them into collaboration and then into consensus I can tell you that planning up front is always 3 to 4 times the amount of time as the event.  The event then looks easy, seamless and like I am not even working!  BUT lots has happenned prior to and lots is happenning during.  A good collaborative effort looks easy but is really well plan, orchastrated and evey possible “road” has been played out in your mind so you can eb ebb and flow as need be.  I love the idea of Bar Camp and hope to participate in a future one, BUT collaboration starts before the people arrive and it starts from the inside and works its way out.  Communication and Trust– then collaboration has a place to flourish!  Happy collaborating!

Introducing Social Networking at Work Part II

Reread the first entry in this series to refresh your mind dated 7/11.

After doing a little ground work you have now begun to evaluate the need.  You have an understanding of some business processes and you have examined the holes in the process.  Understanding the holes in the process(es) are key.  Without a person with a need there is no business case.  If you have determined there are some people with needs you are ready for the next step on the journey. 

1. Document the “as is” processes that are the focus of this
2. Document the ones that work (everyone can learn from these)
3. Document the processes that don’t work; emphasize the holes in the process, the challenges and the barriers.
4. Review the outputs from the facilitated brainstorming sessions. 
5. Rewrite the “broken” processes in a new way using the ideas that were received in the brainstorming session.

You now have a “gap analysis” done – where we are, where we want to be and some ideas on how to get there.  You have some high level, possible solutions for the processes that need improved. 

Next time, I will give you a case study as to how this might look and we will see what we do next!  Until then Happy Collaborating.