discussion exercise 7.2
The Wiki Workplace
The Geek Squad, a tech computer repair company, is one example of companies using self organized networks to communicate across company divisions. Some see this as potentially non-productive to the company’s goals and mission while many others see self-organization as being better. If you let people what the company's priorities are, and they get the excited, somehow it works out. The difference today is that these qualities can emerge organically as employees seize the new tools and collaborate across departmental and organizational boundaries. Thus the power of human capital is unleashed.
1.Why are these new collaboration tools “good for innovation and growth”?
Improving communications within an organization is always considered a positive outcome and in almost all cases, adds to the strength of the company. When a company is empowered, their employees demonstrate more initiative and perseverance in pursuing organizational goals.
2.What are the potential benefits of “unleashing the power of human capital”?
Employees become more connected with more employees of the various regions with less hassle and more enjoyment. In the process of collaboration, the Geek Squad employees brainstorm new products and services, manage projects, swap tips, and socialize with their peers. Others see it easier and less expensive for workers to self-organize than to squeeze them into traditional business units.
3.Is there a downside to so much openness and self-organization?
The downside comes when companies are more comfortable working in a traditional organizational settings and don’t understanding how to embrace the new methods of communication in use, application, and integration in their corporate environment. As companies are pushed to incorporate these new communication tools, there will be a learning curve that may have some ups and downs.Organizations should set policies andprovide guidelines for the company to follow.
4.Would blogs and wikis work at your company? Why or why not?
This discussion should resonate with young students who already use these tools in their everyday lives. A discussion about using the technologies in the workplace has interesting implications.Today’s student probably view these communication advances more favorably based on their experiences and the sample case study they have just read.