Tech shock: Videoconferencing, virtual teamwork systems, groupware and other ‘second- wave’ advances leave many workers overwhelmed
This article could have gone in a lot of different directions. They talk about employee experimentation, changing HR practices, but only touch on an important point. I think people are overwhelmed with new technologies that IT thinks is cool or that a director or VP has heard is cool and wants to implement.
Sure, I've been guilty of this. I think all techies have some time or another. Personally I think all the new technologies are great. I love IM, secure P2P and desktop video conferencing is amazing. And I could talk for hours about the potential of blogs, wikis, and related technologies. But after trying to implement a KM and document management system four years ago, I've figured out that the people who are going to be using the new technology, have to want it. They need to be excited, and they need to see value fast. Like immediately. Also I think the go slow approach is a good one. Maybe start with something simple like IM. Then move into webfeed readers, then internal blogs. Build your case and you'll build success.
Tech shock: Videoconferencing, virtual teamwork systems, groupware and other 'second- wave' advances leave many workers overwhelmed: “A 'second wave' of new office technologies is leaving many employees feeling overwhelmed, and companies stand to lose big if they don't address the implications on human-resource strategies, organizational culture and the pace of work, according to survey data by a University of Calgary management researcher.”