FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The business world has entered a new realm where consumer social networking dynamics have met enterprise reality. A recent social business survey by International Data Corporation (IDC) shows that 41% of respondents have some sort of social business initiative underway. However, these projects vary greatly – from grassroots bottom-up employee initiatives to sophisticated and strategic social customer engagement programs – as do the maturity of the businesses and their social strategies. A method of assessing social business maturity is needed both as a planning tool and as a way to determine a business' progress in adopting social technologies and methods.
"2011 has seen rapid expansion of business change that is being driven by the social customer, empowered employees, and a convergence of new technical capabilities," said Michael Fauscette, group vice president, Software Business Solutions. "Businesses are deploying and using new social tools at an ever-increasing pace. This business change cycle is challenging the enterprise, but at the same time offering many new business opportunities. IDC has created the social business maturity model to help companies that are growing in their adoption of social business and want to optimize their use of social tools."
IDC's Social Business Maturity Model consists of 5 stages:
- Experimentation
- Compartmentalization
- Integration
- Operationalization
- Optimization
The IDC study, Social Business Maturity Model (IDC #229292) can be used by organizations to assess their maturity in using social technologies and processes and using the current stage plan effectively for future successes.
About IDC
IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 100 countries. For more than 47 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.
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