In my head, I immediately started listing products such as Google Enterprise, Microsoft SharePoint, salesforce.com Chatter, MediaWiki... but I think I lost sight of the more important question: "Why would platform x, or any platform for that matter, be ideal?" What do I hope to accomplish? What kind of culture do I want to cultivate? Technology is but a means to an end. So, what does that end look like?
With the question having shifted away from technology and into culture and people, I started painting a mental picture of the ideal organization, where all staff...
- work toward a common goal;
- consider the best interest of the organization in making decisions;
- consider the impact on others when making decisions;
- trust one another to do what's right;
- are empowered to do what's right;
- are human and will make honest mistakes from time to time.
I want to create an environment where people are not only highly productive but also happy in doing great work that matters.
Is there a single product that can facilitate the creation of such an organization? I don't think so. I also don't think there ever will be a single product as an all-encompassing solution. So, as an organization, the next best thing is to develop critical competencies in identifying best-in-class solutions and integrating the snot out of everything.
