The Implementation of Enterprise 2.0 in a Business - Research Paper Example

Enterprise 2.0: An overview Enterprise 2.0 is a “strategic” issue. In view of the fact that the working methods of the businesses are changing swiftly, and it results in contribution of a huge competitive benefit for those who have adopted advanced tools and technologies that offer appropriate, swift and straightforward exchange of informative material, collaboration for geographically dispersed teams and networks of associates with consumers. In this scenario, enterprise 2.0 tools and technologies are very helpful for the organizations to distribute and manage information. Additionally, classification and ranking offer a simple approach to get information and formulate decision about what to consider and what should reject. In addition, there are numerous examples of enterprise 2.0 tools in which Wikis and Blogs are well known communication and collaboration portals. Moreover, social network tools are very helpful for the staff members in finding the target person or group of persons. Thus, enterprise 2.0 has the capability to offer content, data and information and knowledge in an amazingly low-priced and unproblematic way by means of web-based tools (UBM TechWeb, 2011; Miller, 2007). Some people say that enterprise 2.0 is about carrying Web 2.0 into the business; however it is not completely true. In some way, enterprise 2.0 refers to process of bringing the collaborative and social applications and technologies of Web 2.0 into the business setting; however enterprise 2.0 also shows a basic change in the way businesses carry out their operations (Nations, 2011). Additionally, it is a true fact that enterprise 2.0 is a simplified idea that is normally used for technological and business practice that releases the required workers from the limitations of inheriting communication tools and productive tools as there is an example of email. Moreover, it’s another major advantages is that it facilitates the business executives to access the precise information when it is required by means of a web of interrelated applications, services and strategies. In this way enterprise 2.0 make easy to get to the combined intellect of many. Hence this aspect results in moving to an enormous competitive gain in the form of improved innovation, efficiency and agility (UBM TechWeb, 2011; Nations, 2011; Miller, 2007). Enterprise 2.0 in a Business The question is that what is enterprise 2.0 and how it is used in business environment? The simple answer to above question is that enterprise 2.0 is the implementation of Web 2.0 into the workplace and business environment but the defined aspect is not completely precise. In other words, enterprise 2.0 is a process of implementing collective and collaborative tools of Web 2.0 into the business environment, where enterprise 2.0 also signifies a basic change in how a business is managed (Nations, 2011). As the changes are occurring swiftly in the business environment round the world and in the conventional corporate background, information could easily flow through a sequential path. Consequently, the information is passing down the chain from the peak to the base and proposals made from the base flow toward the peak. It is a true fact that enterprise 2.0 changed this prearranged order and created a controlled chaos. Moreover in Enterprise 2.0 structures, flow of information is in form of up and down. As a result, it easily cuts the chains that grasp collaboration in a customary business environment. And it is one of the major reasons that enterprise 2.0 is considered as a tough sell to an organization. So knowingly unleash disorder runs counter to their intuitions (Nations, 2011). Enterprise 2.0 & Web 2.0 Technologies While we talk about Web 2.0 technological features, we see a lot of Web 2.0 tools and technologies easily available in the market. Additionally, there are numerous online tools, technologies, applications, portals and platforms which can help us a lot in defining the ways for sharing point of views, data and information, ideas, opinions and knowledge. In this scenario, some well-known examples of Web 2.0 tools include RSS, weblogs, video-casting, collective bookmarking, podcasts, social networking and multimedia sharing sites. In addition, if organizations make use of these tools and applications they can attract more and more people toward their services. Moreover, the most important feature of Web 2.0 technology is that majority of Web 2.0 tools are free of cost and they can be used online. Furthermore, there are numerous Web 2.0 tools such as Blogger, Digg, Word press, Metacafe, Furl, Twitter and YouTube (Scott, 2011). New Application Suits Podcasting If a person is fond of playing video games, they can straightforwardly search a podcast submission Web-site. In this scenario, one of the major examples of podcasting is www.Podcast.net. By using this site a user can easily download an auditory review of a competition (game) which can be listened on their system (Scott, 2011). Blogs A blog is basically a sequential diary, which can be accessed through internet. Additionally, people can comment or put forward any suggestion through Blogger or else Word press blog. Although wikis acquire a lot of press, blogs can also play a major role in a corporation. For instance, some blogs that comprised of human resources might be used for posting organizational memos along with FAQs (frequently asked questions) could be speedily inquired as well as answered in the blog explanations. In this scenario, blogs are very useful resources for the organizations to keep their workers up to date regarding important events related to the organization or happening inside a corporation. Thus, through this perspective blogs can facilitate its users with various communication levels like top-to-bottom communication that organization wants to provide while doing so in an atmosphere where human resources could ask for clarification or formulate suggestions with no trouble (Nations, 2011; Scott, 2011). RSS RSS is normally abbreviated as Really Simple Syndication. Additionally, RSS can be defined as a technique for distribution of frequently changing Web contents. However various blogs along with Internet publishers collect their content as a RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed to permit people to subscribe it without any difficulty (Scott, 2011). Social Bookmarking This aspect of social bookmarking is very helpful for the people to visualize and comment on the blog post. In this way a user can do this by submission of some blog post to a social bookmarking site. We can classify this example as www. Del.icio.us. moreover it is a normal viewpoint that social bookmarking sites encompass Web pages that consist of common lists of user-formed Internet bookmarks for displaying comment related aspects. In this scenario, the way of classification and saving documents can turn out to be a significant feature of enterprise 2.0 since the shared and joint efforts effectively develop the intranet into a key reserve for the organizations. On the other hand, social bookmarking facilitates a person in numerous ways. It helps a person not only to make storage of its vital papers and pages, but also helps in using a very stretchy managerial structure that will permit them to put some paper into multiple categories if desired, quickly (Scott, 2011; Nations, 2011). From the above discussion it is clear that social bookmarking offers a lot of useful features to the users. It also offers other possibilities for users to speedily locate the information they require. In this scenario, there is an example of intelligent search engine. Consequently social bookmarking allows its users to explore particular tabs to locate important documents that have been bookmarked by other people (Nations, 2011). Social Networking Social networking is a famous term that people commonly use in their daily life. In this scenario, the people who visit bookmark web-site for the ‘game assessment’ tags would probably see our bookmarks. Thus, a large number of people can easily explore our bookmark in order to make a comment on it of their choice. Consequently, they will think themselves to be a part of a group of persons who have a common interest in video games. In this scenario, Digg is a well-known example of such kind of social networking sites (Scott, 2011; Mashable, Inc., 2011). As discussed above, social networking refers to an online service, a web based application or platform that is aimed on structuring and forming social groups or social networks among people. In other words, the social networking is a technique of increasing the figure of company and/or social contacts by establishing links with individuals. For example for those people who share their interests or else behaviors. However, social network services basically comprise an illustration of each user it may be a profile, someone’s private social relationships, and a variety of extra services. In today’s information and communication technology based era majority of social network services are web based. These online services facilitate the people to communicate with each other by using internet. These services include electronic mail and instant messaging. Due to this reason these online community applications are sometimes thought as a social network services, considered in a broad sense, these social network applications normally referred as an individual-centered service whereas online area services are group-centered. In this way social networking sites facilitate its users to share their thoughts, ideas, actions, dealings, and interests inside their individual networks (Mashable, Inc., 2011; TechTarget, 2006).  Enterprise 2.0 - The Wiki Business wiki is considered as one of the most significant applications of enterprise 2.0. Additionally, the wiki is truly an effective communication and collaboration system that could be very useful for small responsibilities, like keeping up with a workforce directory or a glossary of industrial language, at the same time as it is with huge responsibilities or jobs, like graphic representation and growth process of outsized products or else used to hold online meetings (Nations, 2011). In addition, Wiki is also one of the simplest ways for initiating and implementing enterprise 2.0 into the place of work that comprises a completely different technique for business. However, this aspect is best implemented by dividing this implementation into different steps. In this way this approach normally facilitates the businesses in implementing small measures for instance workers’ directory within a wiki (Nations, 2011). Enterprise 2.0 - Micro-blogging Micro blogging is referred as an arrangement of blogging through which instant messaging could be done. Moreover this instant messaging facilitates users to make a small message that could be placed on their profile. In this scenario, there are various examples of such websites like Twitter, facebook, yahoo. These web sites facilitate instant messages to be conveyed on mobile phones, which allows micro blogging to offer a speedy way to correspond with a group of users (Nations, What is "Microblogging"?, 2011). Although, it is interesting to consider web-sites like facebook and twitter as a funny way for wastage of time, but these sites in fact offer a great idea for effective teamwork and communication. As we have discussed various important points concerning micro-blogging that might be used to allow teammates identify where we are working and what working we are doing in addition to quick communication and management of a group (Nations, What is Enterprise 2.0?, 2011). In addition, this aspect of micro-blogging could be used as a collaborative tool. We have numerous examples but an important aspect that can easily be described in this framework is a blog network. This network might be used as micro-blogging to allow writers to inform other writers about their current work or project. Thus, this aspect will be helpful in keeping two writers from circulating what fundamentally would amount to the identical editorials (Nations, What is Enterprise 2.0?, 2011). Implementation of Enterprise 2.0 Seeing that web 2.0 has emerged as an advanced wave of computing tools from blogs to social networking web-sites like Twitter and Face book. Although these applications have resulted in rapid development in last 5 years, but now it has proved itself as a mainstream status and generally this approach is being approved and adopted by mangers of corporations, CIOs and senior executives in huge, pragmatic business oriented firms as a way to reach into the new marketplace round the globe. Hence, it also facilitates government officials and various departments by growing revenues as well as profits. Consequently it is helpful for employees for their output and efficiency (Yourdon, 2011). At many places it can be observed that enterprise 2.0 is used in numerous perspectives but actually enterprise 2.0 is a trend that is utilized for defining business oriented implementation along with proper accomplishment of numerous technological aspects. In this scenario, the cultural practices that were initially attentive toward informal networking actions among customers, scholars, and young people, but now majority of corporations think that these technological aspects related to enterprise 2.0 are not as much significant as compared to business strategies that need to be redesigned, reformed and rationalized. In today’s global economy collapse, it is valuable for organizations to adopt such standards that can facilitate them in reducing costs, help the corporations distribute products and services more speedily, for exploring market places and clients, finding advance products and services for patrons, versatile techniques to locate ways for increasing demand of collaboration among human resources, clients, suppliers, and other people. Analysts and observers argue that enterprise 2.0 is a strategic subject that requires the CIOs and senior IT administrators to change the basic theories regarding their corporate strategies, their trade factors, their dealers, their human resource, their financial systems models and the everyday procedures through which a corporation carries out its business activities (Yourdon, 2011). How to Implement Enterprise 2.0 into Business Environment From the above discussion it is clear that enterprise 2.0 will be implemented in well established organizations. On the other hand its implementation into organizations is considered difficult since there could be some resentment that is not in favor of this approach. However, we know well about this fact that enterprise 2.0 not only changes the working behavior of humans, but it also revolutionizes the role of middle level administration and also the top level management. Thus, all of the modifications defined might escort to resentments in an organization (Vujnovic & Brenner, 2010). In addition, it is much vital to know about the whole approach, someone who is not well familiar would not be able to initiate enterprise 2.0 for the reason that a challenger has started it successfully. Thus, it is necessary for the organization to define its objectives as soon as possible. While the 2nd significant factor is to adopt enterprise 2.0 in our business strategy, by adopting it to our trade culture, our community culture, our commerce, and our human resource. The last important factor is the role of business management and leadership (Vujnovic & Brenner, 2010). Enterprise 2.0 positive and productive innovation and development Many people think of enterprise 2.0 as Web 2.0 tools, the particular technical, scientific and advanced performances, techniques, software and applications. In the given scenario if an organization or else business has decided to adopt and implement the 2.0 and put into practice a new business model or some standard approach, a definite kind of innovatory wave spreads and human resources are even frightened of these innovative changes (Lorievela, 2011). Although it is true fact that there occur some changes in the way people carry out their tasks. In this scenario, they must gain knowledge about interaction and collaboration with advanced tools, as well as they must find out how to make use of them. However, there is a more significant improvement and it is not concerned with tools and apps. Now organizations have to adopt advanced features and solutions for developing innovative strategies. In this way there has to be a mind-set change, an advanced way towards deal with community and make interaction with each other (Lorievela, 2011). In addition, it is a true fact that implementation of joint strategies for enterprise 2.0 begins with our human resources, teamwork, management and directions and development of joint and 2.0 attitudes, preparations and expertise’s. In this scenario if we desire to lead our business or else organizational structure according to technological aspects of enterprise 2.0 models, then we should reorganize the techniques on which organization, their human resource and their executives are working, communicating, and collaborating for efficient output (Lorievela, 2011). Moreover, if we follow these standard instructions for implementing enterprise 2.0 then we could get helpful and fruitful improvement and development: (Lorievela, 2011) An organization must focus on energetic, vibrant and open-minded leadership in order to gain competitive advantage. They should target to knowledge workers. They must adopt a precise communication and brainstorming method to gain benefits. Significant usage of crowdsourcing as well as shared intelligence to set up teamwork in organization. Distribution of tasks must be allocated according to skills and standards. They must make their eyes their teams by proper and regular on monitoring but allow them to work and interact in a sophisticated environment. Organization should select the tools according to skills and requirements or we can say that bitterly equivalent for their groups and business requirements. They must construct such environment in business or else organizational structure that encourages collaboration along with communication. For better enterprise results they must be available for support. This could result in creativity. Engage each and every person (working in corporation) on the development for acquiring objectives. Common barriers to Enterprise 2.0 We have discussed numerous competitive advantages of enterprise 2.0 for the business environment but at the same time they face numerous implications at certain levels during its implementation. However majority of problems are concerned with cultural and behavioral issues or related to some technological aspect. This situation could be summarized in two words. These two words are unawareness and fear. In this scenario, unawareness refers to the fact that what tools are available and how organizations could make best use of them in an attempt to create business value. Second aspect is fear, which refers to loss of management, power, informational insecurity, amplified workload and modifications in general (Fidelman, 2010). How to overcome these hurdles? The above mentioned implications occur while implementing enterprise 2.0 in business environment; however these issues could be conquered. The implementation of advanced tool and technology in business environment needs proper implementation of numerous changes which include organizational plans, extensive theoretical education, technological guidance and communicational aspect. In the same way, enterprise 2.0 is not diverse from any other enterprise technological tool or application (Fidelman, 2010). Moreover, while implementing technological aspects business persons to should ask questions and raise issues, describe predictable use cases and discuss business related impacts for the enterprise 2.0 technologies. In this scenario, the project leaders and team members who make use of this technology can share their experiences, tell stories, thus the technological aspects could extend in other areas of the enterprise (Fidelman, 2010). References Fidelman, M. (2010, January 04). Larry Hawes and the Challenges of Implementing Enterprise 2.0 in Today’s Corporations. Retrieved May 03, 2011, from http://www.cloudave.com/998/larry-hawes-and-the-challenges-of-implementing-enterprise-2-0-in-todays-corporations/ Lorievela. (2011, March 21). How to become Enterprise 2.0 . Retrieved May 01, 2011, from Collaboration Ideas: http://www.collaborationideas.com/2011/03/how-to-become-enterprise-2-0/ Mashable, Inc. (2011). Social Networking. Retrieved May 02, 2011, from http://mashable.com/follow/topics/social-networking/ Miller, R. (2007, July 12). Enterprise 2.0 Definition and Solutions. Retrieved May 01, 2011, from CIO.com: http://www.cio.com/article/123550/Enterprise_2.0_Definition_and_Solutions Nations, D. (2011). What is "Microblogging"? Retrieved May 02, 2011, from About.com: http://webtrends.about.com/od/glossary/g/micro-blogging.htm Nations, D. (2011). What is Enterprise 2.0? Retrieved May 01, 2011, from About.com: http://webtrends.about.com/od/office20/a/enterprise-20.htm Scott, P. (2011, February 01). Web 2.0 Tools. Retrieved May 01, 2011, from WebReferences.com: http://www.webreference.com/promotion/web20/ TechTarget. (2006, January 31). Social Networking. Retrieved May 01, 2011, from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci942884,00.html UBM TechWeb. (2011). What Is Enterprise 2.0? Retrieved May 02, 2011, from http://www.e2conf.com/about/what-is-enterprise2.0.php Vujnovic, i., & Brenner, T. (2010, November 03). Implementing Enterprise 2.0 into Established Companies. Retrieved April 29, 2011, from http://milosvujnovic.blogspot.com/2010/11/implementing-enterprise-20-into.html Yourdon, E. (2011). Managing the Implementation of ENTERPRISE 2.0. Retrieved April 29, 2011, from http://www.technologytransfer.eu/event/1047/Managing_the_Implementation_of_ENTERPRISE_2.0.html Read More