by Enterprise social networks (ESNs) refer to internal social media platforms that are used by organizations to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among employees. ESNs allow employees to connect with peers, share business-related content, and find expertise from across the company. Some key features of most ESNs include the ability to create profiles, build networks of coworkers, engage in discussions via messaging/comments, share files and links, and get activity/notification updates.
Drivers for Adopting Enterprise Social Network
There are several factors that are driving more companies to invest in ESN solutions. Firstly, the nature of work is becoming more team-based with distributed teams working on projects. ESNs help connect such dispersed coworkers and break down silos. Secondly, the percentage of millennials in the workforce is rising, and they are digital natives who are accustomed to social tools. ESNs provide a familiar interface for collaboration. Thirdly, the volume of information in organizations is growing exponentially. Enterprise Social Networks And Online Communities facilitate enterprise-wide discovery and sharing of knowledge assets. Lastly, ESNs empower employee-led innovation by allowing grassroots collaboration beyond the constraints of formal communication channels.
Benefits of Enterprise Social Networks And Online Communities
Some of the key benefits that companies experience by implementing ESNs include:
Enhanced Knowledge Sharing – ESNs provide a centralized hub for employees to share files, best practices, industry insights, project updates, etc. This prevents Knowledge loss and Re-invention of wheels.
Improved Collaboration – Employees can tag colleagues, work on documents together, participate in ideation exercises and communities of practice. This brings people with similar interests together.
Increased Productivity – Finding expertise or answers is easier compared to traditional email/phone. Relevant content is surfaced. Reduced search time leads to efficiency gains.
Better Decision Making – Diverse perspectives and crowd-sourcing of ideas lead to more informed decisions with ESNs allowing democratic participation.
Talent Retention – Younger employees expect social tools. ESNs empower them, create networking opportunities, and make the organization an attractive place to work.
Executing a Successful Enterprise Social Strategy
Establishing the right strategy is crucial to the success of ESN initiatives. Some best practices include:
Clear Communication – Leaders should clearly state the vision and potential benefits. Address skepticism upfront through education.
Measure Impact – Define appropriate KPIs to demonstrate ROI to justify ongoing investments. Track metrics like participation rates, knowledge assets created, etc.
Incentive Programs – Recognize top contributors and showcase success stories. Link ESN metrics to performance evaluations and rewards.
Moderated Conversations – Guide discussions instead of just broadcasting announcements. Actively engage to build an interactive community.
Integration with Existing Tools – Surface ESN content in familiar apps like email/intranet. Make participation seamless as part of natural workflows.
Change Management – Organize campaigns and training programs to drive cultural adoption. Foster organizational support for social ways of working.
Overcoming Challenges of Enterprise Social Networks And Online Communities Networks
While ESNs offer immense benefits, there are also challenges to address for success:
Lack of Participation – Getting employees to contribute meaningfully requires proper incentives and leadership support.
Information Overload – Too much unfiltered content shared on the network can lead to overload. Organizing and search features help.
Security & Compliance – Sharing of sensitive data needs controls. Authentication, authorization policies are important for governance.
Distraction Risks – Monitoring required to prevent misuse of networks for non-work activities during office hours.
Integration Complexities – Integrating ESN with multiple internal systems not always seamless due to technical hurdles.
Measuring Real Impact – It is difficult to directly link ESN usage metrics to business outcomes in the short term. Patience required.
Enterprise social networks and online communities are emerging as critical platforms powering social ways of working in enterprises. When implemented right with a clear strategy and change management, they can drive improved collaboration, knowledge-sharing and decision-making. Addressing participation challenges, information overload risks, security concerns and integration issues are important for success. Overall, organizations that harness the collective intelligence of their workforce through ESNs are better equipped to innovate and compete in today’s VUCA business world.
