In the light of the need for public access to information and better social connectedness, the use of recipient-targeted e-mail seems to be outdated. However, managers still need to shape the habits of their subordinates.
Kicking the habit
Many employees have troubles trying to give up e-mail – especially those who consider using e-mail to be an essential practice in their working life. For this group of people the adoption of new communication methods is a major disruption. Thus using social-collaboration tools does not automatically mean that collaboration and knowledge sharing will increase. This is the warning in an article on the strategy-business.com website.
Management plays a key role
Implementing new collaborative tools requires removing old habits and creating new ones. Pointing out the benefits of social media platforms is necessary. To really make a change, however, you must shape the habits of employees.
Employees’ long-term habits need breaking. But how? Create a sense of urgency in the initiative. Treat the process of change as an essential part of your corporate strategy and culture.
You will need to monitor how things are evolving. Incentivise the use of new tools, recognise early adopters and let them point out which benefits they see in the new technologies. It won’t be easy. The abandonment of e-mail use represents a fundamental paradigm shift. The business world, however, is changing and globally dispersed teams need new tools to collaborate effectively.
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