Building bridges: using collaboration to leverage resources

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on using collaboration to get more mileage out of your efforts, especially when faced with static or declining resources. In addition, collaboration has beneficial aspects that can help bridge gaps between individuals, offices, and departments. Benefits you can realize by using collaboration include:

• More leverage for your efforts by tapping established networks of other offices and departments.
• Delivery of a consistent message to your audience even when the message comes from different areas and departments.
• Extend the reach of your marketing and support efforts without additional resources.
• Develop more innovative ideas by bringing in different perspectives.
• Help in finding, selecting, developing, and adapting resources for your support efforts.

.Several areas and projects where we used collaboration to benefit both us and our various audiences include: student, staff, and faculty orientation; Connected @ Iowa State; Solutions! CD; university handbooks; computer training; resource fairs; and university-wide recruitment and marketing materials.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces
          Subjects: Collaborative computing

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.5 On-line Information Services
          Subjects: Web-based services

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Strategic information systems planning

General Terms:
Management, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
collaboration, customer service, documentation, leveraging resources, marketing, orientation, outreach, user support