Because assume that you cannot predict how your employees will use digital tools. These are often surprising ways that you did not think possible. In a social intranet you can facilitate a collaboration hub where you record all these experiences.
An example: more and more of our routine tasks can be automated. There are all kinds of digital resources available for this. Two tools that I use a lot are IFTTT and Zapier. These tools make it possible to link other tools with each other. For example, I can automatically save every tweet that I like in a Google spreadsheet. The possibilities of these recipes are endless and for some people too much to fathom. That is why these tools already show all kinds of popular recipes from other users.
recipes on zapier
An overview of popular 'zaps' that you can use.
Here, the network is used cleverly to provide recipes that have already proven themselves. You can of course also create something similar for all kinds of other tools in the organization. But also think of crowdsource lists of tools that you can use for certain tasks. What video chat applications are there? What do you use to record your to-do's digitally?
Different situations
Every person works in different contexts all the time. One moment you are working on a document independently, the next moment you are working together on the same or another document. Sometimes you get stuck and you turn to your Twitter network for help. In the meantime, you have your Skype open waiting for an incoming call, and you chat with friends and acquaintances in WhatsApp.
Private and work are increasingly merging due to the availability of these tools and the more flexible working hours that employees are given. The digital workplace that survives is the platform that makes it easiest to switch between all these different contexts.
Platforms with API connections
For me, that is a cloud-based solution that gives you access to all the tools and networks you need to do your job, both at home and at work. Two parties that have really understood this at the greece number moment are Slack and Office 365. Both platforms offer access to other networks and tools via API connections (in Office 365 these are Microsoft Teams and Yammer). If you work from home, you still have the option to get in touch with other employees or team members directly by starting a Skype call or chat. There are channels available where I get work done, but also channels where I can reflect on my work (so-called communities of practice ).
Because we are increasingly working in looser connections, a social platform must compensate for the lack of daily contact. Virtual teams are becoming the rule rather than the exception. A social platform is therefore increasingly given the role of safeguarding the commonality. Everything that is related to the culture and the way of working is recorded here. In the future, we might well enter into employment contracts without ever having to meet our colleagues in real life .
A logical starting point for a digital workplace is a social intranet where you can experiment with different ways of working. Think about how you do your work, and share your findings with colleagues. The logical next steps will present themselves.
Do you have any tips for the digital workplace? Let us know in a comment.