Real-Time Collaboration: ConceptShare and Thinkature
Techcrunch and Ajaxian report about two visual collaboration solutions: ConceptShare and Thinkature.
Technically such applications are quite interesting and the ability to collaborate online is compelling. But has anybody a solution for a very human problem? How do you get people to collaborate, to share ideas and contribute something meaningful?
It seems that a certain mindset is required to collaborate via such tools. Or maybe it's that these tools surface something else. Have you ever been in a lengthy meeting where everybody is talking and talking, but the conversation doesn't move forward and there is no point to anything. Somehow people don't seem to mind that the meeting is just a complete waste of time. In some cases meetings are platforms for persons who love to hear their own voice and impress others verbally, but - and herein lies the problem - without much substance.
Now with collaboration tools you can see who really adds value to a team or company. A word is spoken quickly and there is no record afterwards. But when it's required to think and really reflect onto what other people have collaborated earlier, then you can see who is just smoke and mirror and who has something of value to offer. Probably those who think profoundly will prevail. That would be good.
So what makes people use these tools effectively? What makes them reluctant?
