Mike worked in the tax office.

He had always worked in tax.

If someone wanted to know something about tax, they went to him.

If someone wanted to know about anything else, they went to someone other than Mike.

Because Mike knew about tax.  Other people knew about other stuff.

Then an email arrived, inviting Mike to join an internal online community.

With a load of people he’d never met, talked to or even heard of.

Mike had a look.

He was invited to contribute to a business challenge on something not directly linked to tax.

He took it.

He still works in tax.

But now he also contributes to the business in other ways.

Right now, he can’t think of anywhere else he’d rather work.

This is a story based on a conversation I had with a founder of an innovation platform. Technology today has enabled us to collaborate and innovate within businesses which break down traditional silos and bring together a rich diversity of skills and experiences.

Find out how we are helping organisations to harness the power of their people through better communication.  Contact [email protected]