The Collaboration Imperative by Ron Ricci & Carl Wiese - Book review

The Collaboration Imperative

1. By: Ron Ricci, Carl Wiese

Published: July 3, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 246 pages
ISBN-10: 098394170X
ISBN-13: 978-0983941705
Publisher: Cisco Systems, Inc.











"Improved collaboration represents your best opportunity to tap the full range of talents of your people, move with greater speed and flexibility, and compete to win over the next decade", write Vice President, Corporate Positioning, Cisco Systems,Ron Ricci; and Senior Vice President Global Collaboration Sales, Carl Wiese, in their hands on and results oriented book The Collaboration Imperative. the authors describe how the strength and potential of an organization lies in its people, and through empowering them to bring forward their skills and knowledge, the entire company will benefit from their ideas, creativity, and innovation.



Ron Ricci (photo left) and Carl Wiese recognize the importance of collaboration as critical to the success of an organization. To achieve collaboration as an organization, however, requires a complete transformation of the overall company culture. To ensure that the culture develops into one of collaboration, the complete and unwavering support of leadership is essential. Encouraging collaborative activities at all levels requires processes that help people to work together more effectively. Technology that supports and facilitates collaboration is another vital element in establishing and building a collaborative enterprise. Collaboration, as a culture and a way of behaving, requires a commitment from every level and everyone within the organization as a whole.



Carl Wiese (photo left) and Ron Ricci provide a complete guide to developing and supporting a collaborative organization, that will meet and overcome the myriad of challenges it faces, in both the present and the future. The authors understand the key to collaboration lies with the company's people. When employees are empowered to share and utilize their existing knowledge and skills, new ideas and innovation are the result. To achieve even more creativity and enhanced productivity, an even wider range of employee diversity is needed in companies. The idea that less variation works has been supplanted by the benefits of more diverse backgrounds and people.

The authors present the blueprint for collaboration as the fusion of culture, process, and technology. Within those three pillars of collaboration are the following concepts:

* Culture: Collaborative culture starts at the top
* Culture: Getting real about communication
* Process: Getting commitment to common goals
* Process: Build team trust fast including virtual teams
* Process: Stop wasting time to make the most of time together
* Technology: Unlocking the collaboration toolbox
* Technology: Eight high impact collaboration opportunities
* technology: The true payback of collaboration

For me, the power of the book is how Ron Ricci and Carl Wiese combine the theory and overall framework for collaboration, with the tools and strategies necessary to build a collaborative culture. The authors point out that while an organization may be on the cusp of collaboration, these small steps are only the beginning of the journey. The important role of communication within a collaborative culture goes beyond existing vertical forms. Collaborative communication is faster, more nimble, and travels in multiple directions.

Instead of consensus, the authors present evidence that diversity of ideas propels collaboration forward through different perspectives and ideas. The authors offer the path to building a culture, supported by leaders at all levels, that encourages collaboration through culture, process, and technology. The book is arranged to help facilitate and guide the transformation to a collaborative culture that is holistic and aligned with the overall organizational goals.

I highly recommend the transformational and organizational empowering book The Collaboration Imperative by Ron Ricci and Carl Wiese, to any organizational leaders and entrepreneurs who are seeking to transform their organizations from the static to the dynamic through the power of collaboration. With the challenges facing organizations from all directions, it is essential for an organization to move quickly, and this book provides the road map for success through a company culture of collaboration.

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