Why Wiki s Don t Work
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Internet Business -> subcategory Web Hosting.
Why Wikis Often Struggle to Work
Summary:
When discussing concepts like Web 2.0 or Enterprise 2.0 with managers, I often hear comments such as, "We tried that, but it didn’t work," or "Our employees don’t want to use it." This might suggest that wikis are ineffective, but the reality is more nuanced. Many companies have successfully implemented wikis that provide valuable information, though the journey can be challenging.Article Body:
Managers frequently express doubts about technologies like Web 2.0 or Enterprise 2.0, citing unsuccessful attempts or employee reluctance. This might imply that wikis are ineffective, but that's a simplification. Many businesses have introduced successful wikis, discovering numerous existing ones only after actively searching.Common Challenges:
Wikis are often implemented on the organizational periphery rather than centrally, with departments appreciating their benefits while the company as a whole doesn't fully recognize their value. A typical issue is that when an employee responsible for a wiki leaves or is reassigned, the wiki may be lost if improperly managed and not integrated with IT.Wikis are primarily about collaboration, described by Wikipedia as a process involving mutual learning toward a creative goal. However, the focus often remains on deploying the tool rather than its purpose.
Key Considerations:
- Purpose: Define the intended use of the wiki. Consider whether employees should use work time for authoring wiki articles and how content will be managed.- Collaboration Effort: Collaborating effectively requires significant time and energy. Involving yourself in sharing and refining ideas demands effort, persistence, and openness to feedback, which ultimately enhances the ideas.
- Benefits: Despite the challenges, collaboration can lead to better and more sustainable business results. No one creates and delivers value alone; teamwork is essential.
What You Need to Know:
Implementing a wiki involves hard work and a cultural shift. Convincing employees to freely share their knowledge can be tricky, as they may view it as their job security. Yet, embracing feedback to improve ideas is crucial.Moreover, wiki use differs from traditional communication methods like email or FAQs on company intranets. It's a more interactive and collaborative approach.
Wikis offer nearly real-time information about external developments. Companies use them to track competitive actions, legislative impacts, industry trends, and more, distributing the collected information via RSS feeds.
Steps to Success:
1. Define desired content: Clearly outline the type of knowledge you want to capture and share.2. Clarify outcomes: Identify the benefits of capturing this information.
3. Prioritize goals: Focus on two or three key outcomes to enhance.
4. Consistency and innovation: Be consistent and creative in improving these outcomes.
5. Monitor progress: Regularly assess if you're on track.
Begin with a narrow focus to facilitate success and adapt as the organizational culture evolves from knowledge hoarding to sharing. Keep track of contributors and offer support to those who may lag, ensuring value is recognized evenly.
Conclusion:
Transitioning from hoarding knowledge to sharing it can be rewarding yet challenging. Starting small and focusing on cultural change rather than the tool itself lays the foundation for success. Consistency, effort, and embracing change will guide you to achieve a fruitful knowledge-sharing environment.You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Why Wiki s Don t Work.
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