eNetworking 101: The Blog: It's about coffee pots, not staff meetings

Social networking tools create simple ways for people to communicate with each other. They are akin to everyone meeting at the office coffee pot and exchanging information. Social networking tools provide us with a virtual coffee pot that is always on and is located in a room that will fit everyone. I can quickly exchange pleasantries and important information with Josh, Kelvin, Connie and many others, no matter where they are located or what their current project focus. Our virtual coffee pots may be a combination of tools including Facebook, blogs, wikis, Twitter (microblogs), VOIP and email (gasp!).

Just like at the office coffee pot, information flows quickly and freely. Ideas are tossed about, information shared, and problems solved. We come and go at will, knowing that when we return there will be someone there to talk with.

This is the type of information sharing that we all hope a staff meeting will be, but isn't. Staff meetings are controlled conversations on specific topics, and for a limited period of time. A staff meeting may not exchange the information that is really needed nor solve immediate problems. They are more likely to be status updates.

I wonder if there would be a way of using social networking tools to replace a staff meeting, or to make a staff meeting more fruitful? Could the meetings topics be gathered via a wiki? Could people then add information to the wiki about those topics, including solutions if needed? Could microblogging software help information to be shared during the meeting without interrupting the entire group? Perhaps Kelvin raising a concern and people microblog solutions to Kelvin, while the meeting continues? Would that be too disruptive? Or is it a just a variation on how meetings are run now (with winks, nods, and notes being passed)?

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who is using social networking tools to replace or enhance staff meetings. I suspect someone is doing it! Thankfully for me, I don't have staff meetings...instead I wander to the virtual coffee pot, give them my status and find out what I need to know that can make my day more productive.