Building Community and Collaborating with Social Computing Tools

1
Building Community and Collaborating with
Social Computing Tools  

• Stacy Langner
• Khulisa Management Services
• 25 August 2009

2
Introduction

• What do we mean by social computing?
• How can we use these tools?
• Illustrative case study Social software in
  action
• Challenges encountered
• Lessons learned

3
What is social computing?

• Technology that puts power in communities not
  institutions (Forrester1)
• Social software supports group interaction
• Broad, fluid concept
• Not new - but the toolbox is getting bigger

1. Charron, C., Favier, J. Li, C. (2006).
Social Computing How networks erode
institutional power, and what to do about it.
Forrester Research.
Charron, C., Favier, J. Li, C.(2006, February
13). Social
Charron, C., Favier, J. Li, C.(2006, February
13). Social
Charron, C., Favier, J. Li, C.(2006, February
13). Social
computing How networks erode institutional
power,
computing How networks erode institutional
power,
computing How networks erode institutional
power,
and what to do about it. Forrester Research.
and what to do about it. Forrester Research.
and what to do about it. Forrester Research.
4
How can we use social software?

• Typical use Self-promotion to external
  audiences
• Social software can be multi-purpose
• Used behind the firewall it provides
  opportunities to
• Capitalise on natural social behaviours
• Break down silos and improve the flow of
  information
• Leverage and customise existing tools for your
  own purposes

5
Social software in action

• Background about Khulisa
• Small South African organisation (lt50 emp)
• Private (for-profit) company
• Social research
• Focus on international development
• Growing frustration with lack of knowledge
  sharing resulting in
• Decreased productivity
• Impact on quality of work

6
Social software in action

• Specific KM challenges at Khulisa
• Divisional silos
• Geographically dispersed teams
• Short-term staff
• Connectivity issues
• Varying levels of technical skills
• Very culturally diverse

7
Social software in action

• Starting point Intranet
• The tools
• Open Source Content Management Software
• Social Bookmarking
• Document Sharing
• Digital Media Sharing
• Social Networking

8
Tool 1 Drupal

• Content management system www.drupal.org
• Open source platform that served as our
  foundation

• Pros
• Useful forums on drupal.org
• Wide community of users
• Extendable lots of add-on modules available

Cons -Steep learning
curve -Custom module development can be tricky
9
Tool 2 Delicious

• Social bookmarking tag pages while you browse
  http//delicious.com
• Using a shared Delicious account, links are
  displayed on the intranet home page

• Pros
• Browser buttons are easy to use
• Tags can be used to filter items for display on
  different intranet pages
• More efficient than emailing links

Cons -Quality control
with shared account -Maintaining common naming
and tagging system -Measuring participation?
10
(No Transcript)
11
(No Transcript)
12
Tool 3 Scribd

• Document Sharing www.scribd.com
• Use a shared Scribd account and Drupals iPaper
  module to create searchable document repository
• Upload reports, presentations, training tools,
  CVs/resomes, etc.
• KM Manager serves as gatekeeper
• Careful use of privacy settings

13
Tool 3 Scribd

• Pros
• Full text searching
• Hidden tool
• Documents can be fully embedded into web page
• Viewer can comment on documents
• Viewers can tag documents

Cons -Requires
oversight, less community-driven -Embedded
documents can be prohibitively slow to load
14
(No Transcript)
15
Tool 4 Flickr

• Photo sharing www.flickr.com
• Using a shared Flickr account, photos are
  displayed on various intranet pages
• Use tags to display on relevant pages, plus
  random image on home page

• Pros
• Ability to comment and tag
• Visual images more interesting than text

Cons -Quality control
with shared account -Maintaining tagging
system -Uneven participation
16
Tool 5 LinkedIn

• Social networking www.linkedin.com
• All staff set up LinkedIn profile when they join
  the company
• Use private group to share announcements,
  facilitate discussions

17
Tool 5 LinkedIn

• Pros
• Repository of staff expertise
• Keep track of / create mutual contacts
• Keep up with former employees
• Recommendations boost morale

Cons -Not (yet)
integrated with intranet -Limited benefits
without champions - More effort required by
users
18
Key Challenges

• Maintaining momentum
• Measuring impact and return on investment?
• Requires significant time to develop a custom
  system that integrates many tools
• Converting Lurkers

19
Key Lessons

• Terminology is more intimidating than technology
• Choose the right tool for the job
• Carefully consider needs and options
• Dont choose a tool just because its trendy
• Test in small groups and make adjustments
• Constant training and reminders
• Dont invade personal space

20

• Question or Comments?
• Stacy Langner
• Khulisa Management Services
• Phone [phone]
• Email slangner_at_khulisa.com