If you're interested in hearing first-hand about how IBM's private social network - dubbed Beehive - here's a two-page PDF worth reading. Unfortunately, no stats are included.
IBM Research launched Beehive to study four issues related to social software in the workplace as depicted in the model below.
What they found won't surprise social network aficionados but it may surprise corporate executives.
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Employees use the intenal social network to get to know colleagues better on a personal level and to check out new people.
My take: Getting to know colleagues is tough when you're racing from meeting to meeting, telecommuting and working on a virtual team. Econmic conditions have made this even more challenging as travel and gatherings have gone by the way-side and chit-chat revolves around the latest layoffs. The social network fills a huge need employees at all levels have to feel connected to other people in order to also feel connected to the organization. -
Employees use Beehive to connect with people they don't know. On a public site like Facebook, people connect with "friends" they already know or may have met.
My take: This has enormous implications for companies. Social networks will inevitably break down barriers between rank, function, business unit or geography. Social networks have accomplished in days and weeks what outward bound and team-building trust activities have attempted for years. -
Employees use the internal social network to find out about career opportunities.
My take: The days of corporate loyalty and paternalism are a mere memory. Employees use social networks to get ahead. Recruiters say the best way to find a job is to network. Increasing your network can only improve your chances. It's a natural. I'd like to add a process improvement: use the social network to publicize openings and link to the job posting system. -
Employees use the network to get other people interested in their ideas and projects.
My take: Finally, something employees have been waiting for: a company-sanctioned way to not have to rely on your boss to promote you or your ideas. Will the social network move beyond the virtual water cooler to the virtual golf course?
All this sounds great for employees. But what about the company?
The company benefits even more. The IBM researchers report that employees who are more actively engaged in the network care more than those who aren't. They're more willing to contribute to the company. They're more willing to meet new people and to expand their network globally. They're able to more easily access expertise. Sounds like a win-win to me.
In case you are wondering, employees were not given detailed procedures or prohibitions on content for their personal Beehive page.
And there's a much greater hit to morale when those coworkers, with whom they've built stronger connections, suddenly disappear.
Posted by: Romulus | March 24, 2009 at 11:02 AM