International Business

Coming in free form and inherently non-structural, social software is banking on the idea of collaboration. With this feature strength, it allows anyone in an enterprise to interact in ways that seem highly appropriate. Also regarded as a component of Enterprise 2.0 - a network of technologies that enable organizations to streamline their business systems and enhance collaboration - enterprise social software (ESS) takes the concept of intranet to a higher level.

Pointing to the enterprise landscape, a recent study by Gartner.com reveals that until 2015, 25% of enterprises will utilize social network analysis as part of their business and software strategies in an effort to improve business productivity and employee performance. In this regard, the research company recommends for the installation of easy-to-use ESS. Such tool that does not require rigid structures on users is deemed more helpful, coupled by visible, as well as strong, managerial support.

Gartner also cites the significance, for organizations, to develop long-term business and software strategies to provision and consume a set of social software and collaboration services. The development of governing policies that control and monitor the utilization of consumer services for business purposes is also necessary. To achieve these goals, organizations can solicit ideas and information from the business community regarding the most helpful ESS form.

Enterprise social software eases communication among employees, while doubling as an alternative source of information. Adopted as part of business and software strategies, it provides opportunities for modern employees to carry on with their business tasks instead of being in a physical office for eight working hours. Essentially, business social software supports the recent trend of sociability - meaning workers and customers want to be "social" - which leads to the implementation of internal network software.

An ESS system in place also allows multi-site organizations and companies to make employees collaborate more efficiently, and substantially improve their international business marketing efforts. Enterprise social tools make it possible for an enterprise to achieve, on the employee level, better collaboration on projects, as well as efficient sharing of experience and knowledge by cutting through corporate structures and flattening out some unnecessary bureaucracy.

Enterprise social software also makes genuine engagement possible, be it with respect to communication in corporate social networks or online communities. Moreover, better accessibility to information also results from integrating enterprise social software with business and software strategies. With this concept implemented and applicable functionality obtained, timesaving is realized.

While the lack of structure in social software is its strong point, it can also be a weakness for organizations that replace their traditional processes and systems. In order to successfully implement it, the social enterprise software works by making it concurrently exist with structured platforms (its processes and systems). In essence, the enterprise social software should augment - rather than replace - the systems in place in an organization. When designed to work in conjunction with existing systems, enterprise social software can pave the way for more effective and practical operations.