Beyond Technology – Strategy/Culture/Process

We have stated that collaboration is the glue that bonds participants into a Community of Practice. We have stated that a Community of Practice (CoP) can only exist if there is economic value to be derived by participants. We have stated that economic value cannot occur without leadership and support through “corporate” commitment. It also cannot occur without a commitment of corporate culture. There must be organizational buy-in, top to bottom, to support the transformation to a collaborative organization. We have isolated two first steps:

1. Consolidate Existing Business Functions Into A Collaborative Web Portal

Optimize existing technology within the organization by consolidating collaborative business functions on Web portals, activating web based applications like CRM, ERP, time tracking, input and output logistics, operations tools, as well as integrating existing desktop applications and making their output web enabled.

2. Tailor Web Portal Technology to the firm’s unique business strategy

As, Harvard Business School’s Michael Porter states, “Tailoring the firm's unique strategy to include advantages of the Internet is the true opportunity for competitive advantage.”

We suggest these steps should be taken in prototype stages (see following pages) in which “members” are assembled based on complimentary skills and competences under formal role based commitments. We suggest that this have C-level support and participation. C-Level participation is absolutely essential as the primary stamp of approval to assure cultural acceptance. Without this the level of trust and shared commitment among participants will be too fragile to succeed over the full life cycle of the enabling process. It is important to emphasize that a Community of Practice, as we define it, is an online dispersed group with very unique capabilities and a very strategic purpose. We adapt Wenger’s model as follows:

What’s the purpose? Who belongs?

What holds them together? How long do they last?

Communities of Practice

Web Portal enabled aligned around specific Economic Events Network

Members selected based on expertise, commitment and ability to use Web Portal services.

Passion, commitment, and identification with ERA 4 enterprise objectives.

Progress through stages: Pre-forming Forming/Storming/Norming Performing/Progressing

Formal work groups

Local F2F team assembled to deliver a product or service

Members include everyone who reports to the group’s manager

Job requirements and common goals

Until the next reorganization

Project teams

Local F2F team To accomplish a specified task

Members are assigned by senior management.

The project’s goals and milestones

Until the project has been completed

Informal social networks

Communities of Peers & Purpose

To collect and pass on information

Membership consists of friends and business acquaintances.

Mutual need and relationships

As long as people have a reason to connect