While an enterprise social network does provide your company with many benefits that help reduce costs and increase profitability such as streamlined communications, enhanced access to internal experts, and acting as a centralized knowledge base, among many others, it can come with some challenges as well. The good news is that these ‘challenges’ can often be easily addressed with a little due-diligence and a small dose of patience.
Here are some of the more common hurdles project managers need to clear for successful enterprise social integration, as well as strategies for overcoming those obstacles:
- IT’s fear of security issues. What if people start sharing inappropriate content publicly or privately? What if that content contains a virus? Be sure to define a policy on what information is acceptable and what formats are permissible in coordination with IT prior to implementing your social network.
- Leadership doesn’t understand the full value. If your company is still deliberating whether or not a social network is a good decision, ask them what business outcomes they would like to see from using this tool. Then, develop reasonable plans for using an internal social network to meet those outcomes.
- Structural rigidity. Users within your organization may not understand the true value of new ways of doing things – they may be stuck in believing the old way is the only way. To show them what value an enterprise social network can provide, ask them a common workplace issue they face, and show how a social network alleviates that problem.
- Social for the sake of being social. It sounds crazy, but some businesses (although this number is falling) still haven’t fully thought out how an internal social network will support measurable business outcomes. Some simply chase the newest, hottest thing. If you are in a company where this is happening, consider conducting your own test that shows how a social network helps improve your efficiency, and show it to the appropriate decision maker.
- Maintaining attention. Each company is different, and yours may be experiencing a difficult time keeping people engaged in your social network. Research when and what type of posting is most effective at your organization.
- Low customer involvement. Oh no! Your customers aren’t taking advantage of their ability to get involved with your social network. Make sure you clearly communicate this is available at your organization, as well as the benefit – an improved product or service for the customer.
- Stifling creativity. With new tools come new methods and techniques and great opportunity for developing innovative solutions. Be careful you don’t use your network to only reinforce standard workplace norms – allow personnel the opportunity for creativity.
- Continued use of information silos. Even after the integration of an enterprise social network, some companies can continue to operate as a series of independent silos, rather than a unified whole. Ensure employees understand the true value of being able to help one another instantly – even if the other person is in a different department.
- Technical challenges. In every business, there will certainly be technical challenges, such as difficulty integrating with current software. Patience and a long-term perspective are the keys to success when these challenges arise.
- Productivity concerns. If employees aren’t properly trained on how to make effective use of your enterprise social network, they may not use it in the most productive way. Be sure to provide training and ongoing education so they use yours in the best way possible.
Whew – what a comprehensive list! You may experience more or less of these challenges than other businesses. But now, if you run into them, you know the first steps to take to handle them. As you iron out these wrinkles, your company will add increasing levels of value to critical business outcomes.
If you found this article helpful, you might also enjoy The Benefits of Collaboration Software to Your Workflow.
