The world of work and collaboration is changing

Om Malik has just launched a new blog called Web Worker Daily to explore the changing nature of work and the tools and technologies necessary to make it happen. The nature of work and collaboration is changing everywhere, especially for the Microsoft MEDx team. 

There are two very different dynamics happening. The work force is becoming mobile, distributed, international, and increasingly working from home. At the same time collaboration on multiple projects with employees, customers, and partners across different time zones is also critical. Closer collaboration with a distributed work force. This was the founding premise of Groove Networks, now part of Microsoft.

This picture of the Microsoft Mobile Embedded Device team (MEDx) is interesting because they are in one room working together. Most startups work this way all the time. Teams at Microsoft work in individual walled offices where it is easy to feel isolated and disconnected. Technologies like Sharepoint, Groove, Messenger, and LiveMeeting pull them together across all boundaries.

Technology can certainly help improve communication, but does it facilitate collaboration? That is a harder problem.  One that requires not just technology but changes in work flow, processes, and knowledge management. The Groove team at Microsoft is leading some interesting work in this area. Web Worker Daily will follow the trends and new product offerings.

Comments

[TanNg]

//Technology can certainly help improve communication, but does it facilitate collaboration?//

Yes, clearly. Wikipedia is best example. Wiki is enabler for small, continuos collaboration.