Email

Description

Allows uses to exchange messages online.

Uses and Potential Benefits

An essential tool for communication with people both internal and external to the organization.  Although a simple and pervasive tool, it can be used creatively and strategically. Example: members of a group working on a collaborative project can send the team "today messages" at the end of each workday. Today messages briefly summarize in a few bullet points the main activities that a person engaged in that day. Today messages are informal in tone, and often include tidbits of personal information.

Examples of the Tool (Not exhaustive or vetted)

www.gmail.com

Google Apps

References/Articles/Examples from Nonprofits and Foundations

Today Messages: A Simple, Effective Technique for Improving Small Group Coordination

Comparing Google Apps to Microsoft Outlook

Real Time or Time Independent?

Time Independent

Can Start Small and Expand?

Yes

Time/Cost to Implement?

Low

Time/Cost to Maintain

Low