I was recently asked through my social network how would one calculate ROI when implementing "Enterprise 2.0".
This question is so wrong in so many ways but not what you might think. It's not that "ROI" (return on investment) is "1.0" thinking. It's that one doesn't "implement Enterprise 2.0". Such a phrase betrays ignorance masqurading as buzzword worthiness.
ROI will always be an important calculation for *any* business. Others can implement what they want for the love of it. But enterprises want to make sure technology is going to help solve *BUSINESS* problems and, by extension, either make or save them money.
True, determining the ROI from a sexy user interface or a social network application may be a bit less direct than, say, savings gained from eliminating postage in favor of web distribution. But it is there to be calculated and inserted in a spreadsheet and submitted to the CFO - you just have to figure out what it is you are doing and *why* you are doing it.
Here are some of my answers to the "How do I determine the ROI of implementing Enterprise 2.0?" question. Add yours in the comments!
1. Don't be a hammer looking for a nail. Someone "implementing Enterprise 2.0" is either too high up to understand what problem is being solved by a particular approach or simply wants to impress with the latest buzzwords.
2. Enterprise 2.0 is about tapping that huge set of web 2.0 capabilities and approaches within the business. Therefore the question cannot be answered as such. What capabilities within the set are you talking about? Collaboration? More interactive user interfaces? Niche marketing? Persuasive content?
3. Insofar as Enterprise 2.0 is about cultural and net-social expectations, ROI *is* "1.0" thinking. If you are going to get rejections from top new talent because your organization does not allow blogging or ad hoc work groups that go beyond organizational or title divisions, then you *are* suffering an intangible, immeasurable loss.
there's lots more but you get the idea.
