But companies aren't replicating the free-flowing exchange that has been a hallmark of the broader blogosphere. Rather, companies are trying to harness that freedom and conform it to business needs, with forward-thinking companies using strategic planning and formal policies to shape the use of blogs and other Web 2.0 tools to drive more communication and collaboration among workers.

Bringing on the blogs

Over the last few years, management gurus Malone, Hagel, and now Hamel have published books on innovative management and new technologies - social network tools and community software applications. Here's a taste of what Gary Hamel has to say...

"Innovative management: A conversation with Gary Hamel, from Mckinsey quarterly (reg req).

1. Better Customer Relationships,
2. Improves Knowledge Management,
3. Facilitates Recruiting and Retention,
4. Increases Business Opportunities,
5. Builds Community.

I finally get it - this stuff is too simple. What do you think?

Nice, this is one of the reasons, internal email spam, why organizations are starting to use social software applications. "e-mail of the species deadlier than the mail?" - from confused in calcutta.

"Does college matter?", from Kathy Sierra. This is one of Kathy's older post, July 14, 2005.

"McAfee said he first realized the potential of Web 2.0 technologies to become an Enterprise 2.0 platform while studying more traditional corporate software applications including ERP, BPM, supply chain management and customer relationship management (CRM). At first, he was skeptical about the value of Web 2.0 for business, but hands-on experience convinced him that it had potential.

"Social Networking Blurs Boundaries of Learning", from Chief Learning Officer

Business managers need to take notice of the social web. With social software applications - social networking and community solutions combined with CRM, managers and employees can improve customer support and value while improving productivity.

Snagged this article and images from Selvas Cano, "Online Communities / Social Networking and CRM

The NY Times has an interesting article about mashups - Do the Mash (Even if You Don't Know All the Steps)

"POP music has its mash-ups that combine tunes and vocals from different songs. YouTube viewers do it, too, mixing together segments from various music videos."

"The good and bad Of Web 2.0 tools", By J. Nicholas, IT News

It once bet its collaboration strategy on Microsoft tools. It's expanded to consider more Web 2.0 tools, but getting them implemented and used is far from easy.