The need for innovation in IT is always in demand. Unfortunately, IT spends so much time reacting to changes that few resources are leftover for innovating. Add the arrival of the consumerization of IT – in the form of smartphones, social media and increased collaboration – and IT is left in a serious paradox: loving technology, but hating the way and the rate it’s hitting them. 

As the lines between business and personal communication continually blur, what can IT pros do to mitigate their troubles and power these new modes of communication to their advantage? Here are 4 ‘counseling’ tips to help resolve IT’s love-hate relationship and allow the changing landscape of social communication lead to business growth:

LOVE
First things first: don’t just embrace the change, love it. Love the new modes of communication and the leveled hierarchical structures that they have nurtured in. Many younger workers accept sending thank you notes via text message though this may horrify older workers. With the generational gap in mind, consider how the older generation is accustomed to a more rigid hierarchical structure while the generation born on the web grew up at a time when hierarchies weren’t really in vogue. So while they might not think anything of texting the CEO, this kind of casual interaction with top leadership isn’t acceptable for the 'old school.' However, flattened structures of communication can drive innovation and keep the leadership in touch with the pulse of the organization.

PASSION
Lead social communication innovation internally. CIOs and IT pros should not only embrace the changes, but they should be passionate about leading the innovation. Figure out how social communication impacts your business and how it is used from day-to-day. Then develop a strategy to cohesively incorporate it. A good example of this process is demonstrated in how businesses are leveraging Chatter.com sales cloud and service cloud technologies to harness their creative power and drive innovation.

UNDERSTANDING
Help your organization understand the power of interpersonal communication. The digital tools of social networking that influenced the events of the 'Arab Spring' are excellent examples of how 'social' has fundamentally changed communication, and how that change can have profound impacts. If social communication can topple dictators, imagine what it can do for your company.

SUPPORT
Once you’ve helped your organization understand its power, get buy in for IT-led communication innovation by garnering the support of your key business stakeholders. Demonstrate the value of collaborative communication by showing how increasingly open communication will benefit the company by facilitating higher quality and more efficient communication.

Keep these counseling tips in mind in order to remain open to the constantly evolving tech trends. Check out our Bluewolf blog What's Hot and What's Not in IT to learn more. Or, get the whole picture with our Technology Outlook to learn more about the Consumerization of IT and how it is affecting IT pros and their expectations in the workplace.