June 10th, 2008
Easily The Most Effective Collaboration Tool In History Is...
... face to face communication.
Yes, I know it is heresy for a someone who works at a vendor which sells collaboration software to say such a thing, but hear (or read) me out.
Collaboration tools such as email, chat, blogs, wikis, forums, microblogging, shared bookmarks, all have incredible value. They enable us to share information, locate expertise, build relationships, connect, organize, sell, the list goes on. But no matter how good, nothing to date can replace being in the same room with someone.
I've been thinking about this a lot over the last few weeks, as I've been travelling far more than normal. Whether I was seeing customers, business partners, family, or friends... each day was a wonderful experience that could not be reproduced by any of today's software solutions.
Sure, being face to face might be more expensive and is not eco-friendly (the buzz-topic of the day), but software does not allow you to:
Notice the gleam in a customer's eye when they see the value of what you're telling them.
Hear the bitterness in a disgruntled partners voice.
Notice the twinge of defensiveness from a competitor.
Witness the joy of a family member.
Feel a hug.
Share a smile.
I say all this as I head to Enterprise 2.0 for the next 3 days. This conference represents the greatest business solutions of the "web2.0 world", yet everyone needs to physically gather in Boston for it. Of course magnitudes more people will "attend" via blogs, podcasts, slideshares, and twitter updates that just those at the event, but I know my best moments will come sitting in sessions, talking in hallways, watching live demos, and perhaps even at the bar. ;-)
My point? Collaboration software is wonderful, it makes the world smaller, but it is not a replacement for a real relationship. My proof? Well no one on-line has ever said to me "Wow, I really thought you'd be taller".
Face to face communication is a wonderful thing.
