Social media and intranet case studies, best practices, & evolution by Toby Ward.
View Article  Social business is nothing new

(SAN JOSE, CA) “Digital work became more social… but work has always been social,” says Thomas Vander Wal, InfoCloud Solutions, addressing the KM World 2009 conference. “Businesses by nature are social – you need to have people in your org talking to each other.”

 

Drivers of social media and enterprise 2.0 include:

 

  • Office productivity tools are not efficient for collaboration.
  • Social tools augment face-to-face.
  • Volume of information has grown
  • Gaps in enterprise tools, CMS, and other traditional work tools
  • Individuals are making a difference
  • Ease of sharing & connecting with others
  • Easier knowledge capture

 

“All of this is similar to e-mail in the 1990s. It was a strange new way of thinking… and now we’re using social tools and saying the same things that we did about email.”

 

“Social software creates a lot of information – many layers of information. We need tools to understand this information and structure for understanding.”

 

1–9–90 rule (Charlene Li) helps understand the ‘who’ in social media: 1% creates the information; 9% curates it; 90% merely are consumers of the information.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE INTRANET

 

“We’re looking at our intranet and it’s an utter mess. Something is really broken here,” says Thomas, emulating a typical intranet client. “Social media helps fill in some of the gaps in the enterprise tools (example: BBC intranet: 115% wiki use in 7 years)”

 

When comparing Web 2.0 and Enterprise 2.0 Vander Wal has a clever analogy: Web 2.0 is like tunneling through a mountain (it’s tough to sort out the context in the mass of information, and problems are merely small cracks in a large mass); Enterprise 2.0 is like tunneling under water (it’s easier to get started, but problems quickly become massive problems). “Web 2.0 is about numbers of users, Enterprise 2.0 is about % of users (% of employees using social media).”

 

We need to encourage social comfort for employees:

 

  • Comfort with others (people to interact & share with)
  • Comfort with tools
  • Comfort with subject matter

 

“It’s been said that walled gardens are bad for the enterprise, but they give comfort to employees,” says Vander Wal, citing Andrew McAfee’s opening keynote at KM World 2009. “What we really want are comfortable walled gardens with permeable walls.”

 

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Follow Thomas on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/VanderWal

Follow Toby on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/TobyWard

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View Article  Social Media Becoming Mainstream on Corporate Intranet

 

I recently received a copy of the Intranet Global Survey from Toby Ward, CEO of Prescient Digital Media. The headlight quote was encouraging, “Employees want to work for progressive and innovative organizations, and expect 2.0 environments from employers of choice.” The study included input from 561 organizations of all sizes from across the globe and the results reveal rapid adoption of social media on the corporate intranet in the past year.

 

The breakdown of specific types of social media on intranets include:

  • 47% have wikis (10% have no plans or interest)
  • 45% have blogs (11% have no plans or interest)
  • 46% have discussion forums (9% have no plans or interest)
  • 37% have RSS (12% have no plans or interest)
  • 23% have podcasts (30% have no plans or interest)
  • 9% have social networking (20% with no plans or interest)

 

I am not sure which is better the high numbers who have already adopted or the low numbers with no plans or interests. The study concluded that an organization without Intranet 2.0 tools, or plans to use them, risks being out-flanked by their competition.

 

Read Bill Ives' complete column from (New Study Finds Social Media Becoming Mainstream on Corporate Intranet)

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View Article  Intranet 2.0: The investment vs satisfaction corollary
Like anything, you get what you pay for. However, that doesn't mean a social media or Intranet 2.0 solution can't be an inexpensive solution, but it does require proper planning & governance, and usually some customization.


According to the results of the Intranet 2.0 Global Survey (561 organizations of all sizes from across the planet), 46% of those with 2.0 tools have spent nothing or very little on the solution:


  • 46% have spent $10,000 or less

  • 35% have spent between $10,000 and $100,00; 19% have spent $100,000 or more


It should probably come as no surprise then that satisfaction levels with 2.0 tools is also quite low:


  • Satisfaction rates with executives is dangerously poor: 38% of executives rate the 2.0 tools as poor or very poor; a lowly 23% rate them as good or very good

  • Employee satisfaction is almost poor: 35% of organizations say employee satisfaction with the 2.0 tools is poor or very poor; only 27% rate the tools as good or very good

  • Only 29% of organizations rate the tool functionality as good or very good; 24% rate them as poor or very poor


In short, organizations are spending very little on their 2.0 initiatives, and the satisfaction levels are correspondingly low. Investment doesn't necessarily deliver satisfaction, but a look into the technologies used reveals some further insight. The vast majority of organizations with 2.0 tools use free, open source solutions or those bundled with a platform solution like SharePoint:


  • 48% of organizations use SharePoint

  • 20% of organizations use Facebook

  • 17% of organizations use MediaWiki

  • 16% of organizations use WordPress


There isn't a single, dedicated 2.0 licensed solution used by more than 13% of organizations. The vast majority use free, open source with the exception of SharePoint which sports 2.0 tools that leave very little to be desired (although the social media components in SharePoint 2010 are supposed to be spectacular, and represent a heavy portion of the investment in the SharePoint upgrade).


Two lessons are worth noting:


1 - Vanilla solutions will deliver vanilla results (without customization tailored to the target audience.

2 - Change management is tantamount to success. These tools require promotion, education, and communications. If you build it they will not come necessarily, employees need to be instructed accordingly.


ALSO READ:

Intranet 2.0 Becomes Mandatory


THE INTRANET 2.0 GLOBAL SURVEY:

The findings of the Intranet 2.0 Global Survey are highlighted in the report "Intranet 2.0: social media becomes mainstream on the corporate intranet."


To download a free, summarized version of the Intranet 2.0 report please visit:

http://www.prescientdigital.com/articles/download-summary-report-of-intranet-2-0-global-survey


To purchase the full, 44-page Intranet 2.0 report of analysis & recommendations please visit: http://www.prescientdigital.com/articles/purchase-intranet-2-0-global-survey-report


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View Article  Adopt Intranet 2.0 or risk failure
An organization without a 2.0 strategy risks being left behind, or outright failure (though death may be slow). Employees want to work for progressive and innovative organizations, and expect 2.0 environments from employers of choice.


561 organizations of all sizes from across the planet participated in the Intranet 2.0 Global Survey and the results reveal rapid adoption of social media on the corporate intranet in the past year.


Once a nice-to-have or a future wish, Intranet 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis and other vehicles have become mainstream, and are present in nearly 50% of organizations (regardless of size) in the Western World.


Intranet blogs, wikis and discussion forums are quite pervasive, while other less common tools such as podcasts and mashups remain an after-thought at most organizations:


  • 47% have intranet wikis (17% enterprise deployment); 10% have no plans or interest

  • 45% have intranet blogs (13% enterprise deployment); 11% have no plans or interest

  • 46% have intranet discussion forums (19% enterprise use); 9% have no plans or interest

  • 46% have intranet instant messaging (29% enterprise use); 21% have no plans or interest

  • 19% have intranet social networking (6% enterprise use); 20% have no plans or interest


Microsoft dominance


Microsoft is leading the 2.0 charge and dominating all competition. For those organizations that have deployed 2.0 tools inside the firewall, about half of all organizations have SharePoint (in some shape or form):


  • 48% of organizations use SharePoint

  • 20% of organizations use Facebook,17% of organizations use MediaWiki,16% of organizations use WordPress


Cost of Intranet 2.0


Intranet 2.0 is cheap. Of those organizations that have implemented 2.0 tools, almost half have spent $10,000 or less on these tools:


  • 46% have spent $10,000 or less

  • 35% have spent between $10,000 and $100,000,19% have spent $100,000 or more


Poor execution


Sadly though, despite the low cost of entry and ease of technology, satisfaction levels with Intranet 2.0 tools are dangerously low:


  • Only 29% of organizations rate the tool functionality as good or very good; 24% rate them as poor or very poor

  • Satisfaction rates with executives is dangerously low: only 23% of executives rate the 2.0 tools as good or very good; 38% rate them as poor or very poor


To download a free, summarized version of the report please visit:

http://www.prescientdigital.com/articles/download-summary-report-of-intranet-2-0-global-survey


To purchase the full, 44-page report of analysis & recommendations please visit: http://www.prescientdigital.com/articles/purchase-intranet-2-0-global-survey-report


-- 30 --


For more information please contact:


Toby Ward, CEO

Prescient Digital Media

416.926.8800

toby@prescientdigital.com


About the Intranet 2.0 Survey


561 organizations took the survey:

  • 36% come from the U.S; 24% from Europe; 11% from Canada; 11% from Australia / New Zealand; 10% from UK

  • 61% have more than 1,000 employees; 32% have 6,000 or more employees; 39% have less than 1000 employees

  • 53% of organizations have had an intranet for 7 or more years; 17% of organizations have had an intranet for 2 years or less

  • 13% of the organizations are government; 13% from technology; 12% from financial services; 6% from healthcare

  • The survey was led by Toby Ward, President, Prescient Digital Media


About Prescient Digital Media


Prescient Digital Media is a group of senior intranet and Internet consultants that provide strategic Internet and intranet consulting, planning and communications services to organizations of all sizes. Our clients include: Amgen, Covidien, CBC, CIBC, HSBC, Liberty Mutual, Manulife Financial, Mastercard, Nintendo, Pepsi, RBC Financial Group, TD, and more than 100 others.  Prescient’s focus includes the assessment, planning, technology selection, content and launch of intranets, websites, and web-based tools. For more information please contact Prescient Digital Media through the website at www.PrescientDigital.com or phone 416.926.8800.


Additional reading


Intranet articles & case studies – www.IntanetBlog.com

Follow us on Twitter – www.Twitter.com/Intanet2

Join the Intranet Global Forum on Facebook – www.Facebook.com/group.php?gid=2723005032

View our presentations on intranets on our SlideShare channel – www.slideshare.net/prescient

Watch Toby discussing the future of intranets – www.YouTube.com/watch?v=kaTMOTpRVQk

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View Article  Intranet CMSs
How many organizations are using a CMS for their intranet? What about a portal solution?


Respondents to the Intranet 2.0 Global Survey provide (530+ organizations ranging from small to huge, in all corners of the globe: 36% come from the U.S.; 24% from Europe; 60% have more than 1,000 employees; 32% have 6,000 or more employees) some very good insight into the use content management systems (CMSs), as well as portals and Intranet 2.0 tools.


Key findings:

  • Less than 2/3s of organizations use a CMS for their intranet (62%)

  • 24% use a custom built CMS (home grown CMS)

  • 25% use an off-the-shelf solution

  • 11% use a portal solution

  • There is no dominant CMS solution – no one vendor has more than 20% market share

    • Microsoft SharePoint is used by 20% of those that use a CMS

    • Interwoven, Documentum and Vignette each have 4% market share

    • No other solution was cited by more than 8 organizations (2.5% share)


Clearly SharePoint's dominance in the market is showing here. Though only 20% of the respondents are using it as a CMS. For those that have implemented Intranet 2.0 tools, SharePoint (MOSS 2007) is present in 46% of the organizations (though some organizations are using multiple tools including SocialText, Confluence and MediaWiki). In other words, SharePoint is being used as a CMS, but its not its strength which is collaboration sites, document sharing, and portal functionality / features. SharePoint is more often being used for collaboration and portal functionality.


My full presentation on the Intranet 2.0 Global Survey findings is next week at J. Boye – Philadelphia 2009. There are still spots left if you want to register now (and some great case study presentations as well). The full study findings will be sent to survey participants only in mid-May (TBA) followed by a participant only webinar (yes you have to take the survey to get the results).


Speaking of intranets and measurement this is a great free webinar with a terrific case study from PNC Bank: Measuring Intranet Success in the Real World (Case study with PNC Financial Services group) Date: Thursday, 12pm EST – Register Online.


ALSO...


Social Media Webinar for Educators

This webinar is free and designed for university professors, instructors, and students. Topics for discussion include the role of the new media, how the Web is evolving, and what to expect in the future. Best practices and tips for how to engage with others and build trust in a virtual world will also be discussed. Hosted by Plank Center, the one-hour discussion and presentation is on May 1, at 1:30 CDT.


Moderated by Keith Burton, President, InsidEdge, presenters include Robert French, Instructor, PR & Digital Media, Auburn University; Jeff Beringer, SVP, Dialogue/GolinHarris, and Toby Ward, Founder and CEO of Prescient Digital Media.


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View Article  Intranet 2.0 Global Survey Results
THE SURVEY IS CLOSING & YOUR PARTICIPATION IS REQUIRED -- THE FINDINGS ARE FREE!

500 organizations of all sizes from across the planet have participated and the findings are invaluable - and surprising. If you haven't already done so, please take 8 minutes to take the Intranet 2.0 Global Survey and you’ll get a copy of the full results including the good, bad and learned lessons. Please also direct clients and fellow colleagues. It doesn't cost anything, and I'm not charging anything.

PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY EVEN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTRANET 2.0 TOOLS -- WE REQUIRE BOTH PERSPECTIVES!!

Respondents who complete the survey will be eligible to win $400 (a random email address will be drawn from all responses to the survey). All respondents will also receive a full copy of the results at no cost.

Here's a sneak preview of some of the findings so far:

  • 43% have intranet blogs (10% enterprise deployment); 11% have no plans or interest

  • 47% have intranet wikis (16% enterprise deployment); 10% have no plans or interest

  • 23% have intranet podcasts (6% enterprise deployment); 30% have no plans or interest

  • 17% have intranet social networking (5% enterprise use); 20% have no plans or interest

  • 21% have intranet content tagging (9% enterprise use); 24% have no plans or interest

  • 37% have intranet RSS (12% enterprise use); 12% have no plans or interest

  • 47% have intranet discussion forums (20% enterprise use); 10% have no plans or interest

  • 46% have intranet instant messaging (28% enterprise use); 20% have no plans or interest

  • 8% have intranet mashups (3% enterprise use); 46% have no plans or interest

  • 48% of organizations using SharePoint for Intranet 2.0 tools


A sneak preview of the findings and some of the case study examples will be showcased at J.Boye 09 in Philadelphia (May 5-7, 2009). Register now & receive a fantastic deal on a technology / communications conference of this quality that includes multiple tracks on intranet, SharePoint, content management, user experience and more. J. Boye also features star speakers including the NY Times' David Pogue.

TAKE THE INTRANET 2.0 GLOBAL SURVEY

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