BeeHive: The New FaceBook for the Cubicle Warriors
Just like in the movies, Social Networking is COMING SOON to the office near you.
There is much anticipation in the business world regarding IBM’s social networking software, BEEHIVE. Much like FaceBook, users can post pictures, video and one-sentence updates about themselves. Employees can describe their expertise, talk about themselves and learn about their colleagues from the other side of the world. Certainly a great tool that empowers employees to socialize with each other, especially amongst co-workers scattered across the different offices of today’s enterprises.
The IBM brand has given this software the type of exposure that any small start-ups will envy. Some questions that pops up in my mind: How will IBM integrate BEEHIVE with its other software for the enterprise like Lotus Notes? Can it be seemlessly integrated with the existing software and hardware infrastructure? In IBM, where it is currently being used, the 27,000 IBMers that is currently using the software will tell you how much they like it as they get to know more the personal side of their colleagues. Surely, knowing more about the personal side of others makes for better interaction between people. In addition, it has the potential to liven up the usual dry atmosphere of an enterprise. That geeky Chinese dude in the corner cube, who never talks to anyone, might be a “kung fu” afficionado. You never know, he might give you a hand about martial arts if you ask him. Or, that quiet secretary of the sales manager might also be a fan of 80’s boy band, New Kids on the Block, just like you.
In many ways, would a software like BEEHIVE, really help an enterprise grow and improve the bottom line. Supporters, would say that it can increase interaction between colleagues therefore ideas to improve the business through this interactions can help the company in the long term. It can also promote camaraderie amongst employees, in the end, also promoting company loyalty. By having a FUN factor, the office’s usual dull and boring environment is enlivened a little bit.
For detractors, the software can become a distraction. Instead of focusing on the work at hand, employees might spend too much time going over each other’s web page. It is hard enough to contain employee’s wanton use of the internet inside the office. Why add another productivity waster? You can only ask teenagers how FaceBook or MySpace can be addictive and how much time they spend on it. Would employees reaction be no different? It remains to be seen.
Note: Beehive is still officially under development and is currently available to IBM employees only. A lot of people, including myself, believe that it would eventually be offered to IBM’s customers in the near future. Let’s wait and see how it goes as it becomes available. What would be the reaction from FaceBook, MySpace or even LinkedIn? Is there a competing offer lurking at the corner? What would be the reaction of the customers? Do they see any value for social networking in the enterprise?
Again, just like in the movies, the reaction to Social Networking in the Office is COMING SOON.
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