Monday November 22, 2004

Conversations and iWork

As I mentioned on Friday, I've been reading the Clue Train Manifesto. In Chapter 1 Christopher Locke talks about conversation. Conversation can range from the silly and fun to sharing our knowledge and our work. “But this whole gamut of conversation, from infinite jest to point-specific expertise: who needs it?”. Markets need conversation and companies need conversation Locke answers “Without it they can't innovate, build consensus, or go to market. ” And finally he say that cultures need it. Without conversation they begin to die.

I would add that work groups need it. The group I am a part of, the iWork solutions Group, is highly dispersed. We work from everywhere. One of the conversations we have been having lately is how do we make sure we continue to function as a team. What is happening to the conversation that used to happen in the hall ways or when someone popped in to my office? How will we continue to have the conversation that allows us to innovate, problem solve, and build connections for the future?

The conversations also nurture our culture, our sense of being a team. Without the culture and the connections that come from the conversations Locke says “The Guns come out.” Some of us have worked together for a long time so when something contentious comes up we pick up the phone. But what about new team members who don't have those connections yet. How do we foster the kinds of conversations that will build those connections and might happen naturally if you were co-located? I think it is one of the important questions for iWork and its impact on Sun

There is no doubt in my mind that we have to consciously nurture the conversation. And there is no doubt that the network can enormously help. But there is also no doubt that it won't necessarily happen by itself. And it can't be contrived. It isn't a newsletter or regular broadcasts form the boss. It has to be real. So, how DO you foster the conversations that make a group a team?