People have always banded together for a common cause - well before the very beginnings of recorded time.
Human beings learned early that concerted efforts were essential for survival of the community.
These early humans learned to work in small teams hunting and foraging for food.
Each member of the team was dependent upon the others with one simple common goal - to eat.
If the group did not succeed, everyone went hungry.
Technology Solves Today's Challenges Fortunately, humankind has come a long way since its hunter/gatherer days.
Technology helps many groups with common objectives meet these goals together.
The technology specifically integrates social networking and collaboration to help solve problems so everyone can "eat," or succeed at whatever challenge is at hand.
Social Tools in the Work Place Many business owners and managers may not want to admit it but employees already use social collaboration tools in the workplace.
They seek out such tools and leverage these for making daily work functions easier.
They will not wait for the IT department to come up with proprietary tools.
They will employ the commercially available ones to find better, quicker and easier business outcomes without having to receive corporate approval or adoption.
Industry reports state that at least 57 percent of corporate employees use social tools for workplace functions even though these very tools are not approved by any IT in-company professional or established business protocol.
However, use of non-approved software or online based social tools may have some serious compliance issues down the road when used.
Why is IT Against Consumer Tools? Security is the main issue when it comes to employees using consumer social tools for business functions.
To be fair, there ARE many unknown security risks that businesses need to be wary of.
Security breaches can expose confidential data and files to outside parties.
That's why IT departments need to seek a tool that offers both features and security.
Enterprise social business tools, in particular, offer enhanced security that large Fortune 500 companies use and trust.
Invest in a Company Social Collaboration Software Businesses can take advantage of social business tools by investing in their own in-house social platforms.
A customized social business platform promotes people working together creating faster and more efficient business results.
Such features as real-time social messaging, online document co-editing, shared file management, group customization, improved workflows and ensured security all make customized business social platforms a key solution in today's managed workplace.
There are plenty of choices for customizing social platforms to fit any enterprise from a small office to major, multi-national corporations.
The end result is a managed system that brings employees together where they can work toward that commonly held goal more efficiently while the business gains the necessary control to keep the functions compliant and secure.
Remember, group success means everyone gets to eat.