When it comes to social networking, IT departments can lead, follow, or get out of the way. The IT department can be instrumental in guiding and supporting the use of technology products and processes that move businesses toward their social business goals. It can also even with the best of intentions stall nascent social efforts.
Social networking may not eliminate the need for some business processes and applications entirely, but it's changing the status quo in areas ranging from email to call centers. Video might not have killed the radio star, but it sure did change things. The same can be said for social networks and any number of business processes and applications. Here are five upstart social trends that might not kill old school, but have already changed how we work.