It’s All About Connection

  Innovation   Knowledge Management   Lessons Learned   ProjectsAtWork  

A new book dives deep into organizational networks, showing how leading companies are shifting their focus from formal structures to flexible networks that improve collaboration, teamwork and innovation. Here is an excerpt detailing the steps that VeriSign took to build a more engaged, connected community of engineers and project managers.

Much has been written about organizational networks and network analysis recently. While these books help explain why leaders should pay attention to informal networks, a new book called The Organizational Network Fieldbook speaks to those who are wondering what comes next. Studing the networks inside more than 200 organizations — including 3M, ConocoPhilips and the United States Department of Defense — the book’s authors have gathered a compilation of practical approaches to help leaders shift their focus from formal organizational structures to a better understanding of flexible networks. The book focuses on Collaboration and Community; Innovation; Team Effectiveness; Talent and Workforce Management; and Managing Organizational Change.

The following is an excerpt from Chapter One about Internet infrastructure services provider VeriSign’s successful effort to build a more engaged, connected technical community. It was written by Angelique Finan and Grady Bryant.

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