Don't let the IT department take away the water cooler!

Most IT departments spend time worrying about how to stop employees doing things (installing software, using MSN, accessing MySpace, etc, etc.). It's what they're paid to do.

But those same companies are also wondering how to attract and retain talent, make people more productive and increase collaboration.

That's a complete disconnect.

It's also why I like this quote from Ross Mayfield, CEO of Socialtext, at a panel discussion at the Web 2.0 Expo:

"If you take away the water cooler, you just make people more thirsty"

Business leaders: think about this before you let your IT departments convince you that it's the right thing to do

IT departments: make sure your business leaders understand this before they tell you to do it
 

Published 24 April 2007 10:07 by Niall Cook

Filed under: Marketing Technology, Social Media, Collaboration

Comments

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  Leslie Leite said:

  Thanks for pointing to our recent video. You've hit a key point (talent retention) that will only grow to be more problematic as the Net Generation comes increasingly in to the workforce. These new employees, who've been linked up and LinkedIn since they could use a keyboard, will find these types of corporate control even more restrictive than the existing workforce.

  Leslie Leite

  Community Manager

  BNET

  April 24, 2007 19:03
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  Kalle Siebring said:

  And if they DO want to take water cooler, make sure they won't take this one! http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/bitsandpieces/images/heinekencooler.gif

  Kalle

  April 27, 2007 15:48
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  Ted Graham said:

  Did someone try to take away the watercooler?

  May 8, 2007 03:11
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  Leslie Leite said:

  Niall,

  We've just added several articles on Web 2.0 and business, and it has several ways these tools apply to marketing.

  You can find Putting Web 2.0 to Work at:

  <http://www.bnet.com/2406-13068_23-66097.html>

  Leslie Leite

  BNET

  May 23, 2007 16:15