The Conversation Group

Challenge:
The Symbian Foundation, the independent not-for-profit organization that supports the largest mobile operating system worldwide, had three major challenges when they approached TCG: (1) Implement new programs while working to release the entire Symbian operating system as an open source project; (2) Continue to attract individuals and organizations to develop dynamic applications on the platform; and (3) Be the hub of a technology movement through supporting, championing, and leading this community to create a more effective and open engine for innovation than competing commercial efforts could ever produce.

Solution:
Executive Director Lee Williams appointed TCG partner Ted Shelton as a leadership team member and interim head of marketing. TCG then implemented our “Open Management” strategy – restructuring the marketing organization, hiring for key positions, providing training for existing staff and implementing open communications initiatives. In addition, TCG helped build Symbian’s developer program including Horizon, Symbian’s new application publishing platform. Finally, TCG assisted in creating a set of strategic partnerships to help grow the Symbian

Tags: Communications, Research, Strategy, Technology

Challenge:
Understanding the landscape of social influence in the B2B enterprise technology market. SAP’s corporate communications group had numerous social-media projects running in the US. The big question was, what should they do globally? What works in the US and the EU may not work in other key territories — for example, the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) where B2B technology companies are building a presence experiencing.

Solution:
Enlisting a respected and well-connected blogger, TCG implemented an open research project which invited social-technology influencers and practitioners around the globe to educate SAP on a broad range of topics — from user adoption in key territories, to best practices in B2B digital/social communications, to emerging conversations that mattered to enterprise technology customers. The project culminated in a report that became the centerpiece for a DIY education portal for SAP staff.

Tags: Communications, Research, Strategy