Full Sail Partners Blog
The SMPS National Technology Committee 2012 survey revealed the top 3 technology topics professional services marketing and business developers would like more information on is communication tools, customer relationship management systems, and collaboration tools. The results of this study are probably not surprising. People are on the go and are collaborating with multiple groups in different locations at a fast pace. We have demands from work, family, and other organizations to keep track of. The key ingredient needed is effective communication and collaboration.
Social media allows people to connect and communicate, but one missing piece is still the collaboration and organization to get things done. A new collaboration software tool is looking to tackle this issue. Kona is an online space for any group to privately connect, organize, discuss, and get things done together. The tool is specifically for people involved with multiple groups like, project teams, volunteer organizations, membership clubs and even family events. Kona keeps track of everything each person is responsible for and discussing across all spaces in one personalized place. The current tool was developed by Deltek and is in beta. Kona is FREE and available through the internet and also has a mobile app.
As an example, let’s say that you are pursuing 3 proposals, you are director of an association committee, and you also need to organize your family activities. Kona allows you to create five separate spaces for each of these items (separate space for each proposal, one for your committee, and one for your family). You can invite separate people to each space. Those that are a part of the association don’t need to view you’re your family and proposal information, for example. So you just send committee members an invite to your committee space. However, you have the ability to view the discussions and tasks that occur over all 5 spaces.
For marketers, one of the biggest struggles when dealing with teaming arrangements is keeping communication in one location and making sure everyone is aware of decisions. Now you can quickly communicate through a discussion thread versus strings of emails which may or may not hit all of the right parties. Since you can access Kona through an app you don’t have to be at your computer to join the conversation, which is great for those on a job site. Agreed upon tasks are outlined with due dates. You are able to upload files so the entire team can view.
The current capabilities continue to be tweaked so for those that would like to influence the development of this collaboration tool there is still time. For those that need a way to communicate among disparate groups check out Kona (www.kona.com) and let us know what you think.
Like Kona on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KonaLife
Follow Kona on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kona_life
To check out more features and compatibility requirements, visit iTunes: http://bit.ly/KY4JNd. You can also search “Deltek” from your iPhone apps. You can also view an introduction of the tool on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clEEzM0RZr4.
To view a presentation, join us on July 19, 2012 at 1:30pm ET.
