A mass of different collaboration and communication tools exist today to support the on-line professional. Individuals and virtual teams can communicate on-line through email, IM, web chat, VoiP and webcam. There are in fact so many channels that maintaining a master contact list is a real challenge even if you stay tuned to just one device! The term Unified Communications is now being used by Microsoft to describe this multitude of means to interact and the functions needed to allow seamless usage of contact and other key communication functions like on-line presence indicators to show if you are available to talk /chat, etc.

At the same time, collaboration tools that provide on-line document / application sharing, slide shows, team wikis, workspaces, sharing bookmarks and other information sharing functions (e.g. giving control of your desktop / cursor to others) are now available to all who are prepared to invest a little time in their personal technology training. Two examples - Skype users can try the Unyte add-on under Tools / Do More or you can try Microsoft's Shared View beta, part of their free WIndows Live and Messenger services.  

The real challenge for professionals is to choose the right tools for the right context so that you can quickly move from divergent ideas to convergent discussions about the merits of options 1, 2 or 3. These really are new Professional 2.0 skills

Most requests for help from clients currently begin with a face to face meeting where a detailed description of a client's problem / issue is explained, followed by follow up calls and emails. Taking what are often pre-defined perceptions of the issue, the approach needed and even maybe possible solutions, the professional responds with a classic proposal letter.

Working as a professional in a Web 2.0 world is very different.

Using on-line collaboration tools like desktop sharing and cursor control, proposal discussions are more creative and dynamic. With the real-time exchange of ideas, examples and other information in a rich user environment, the context of a problem / issue is constantly challenged and refined.

Dialogue is expanded into new areas of discussion and by beginning to work together on the issue, the client gains a real appreciation of whether or not the professional concerned really can provide the assistance needed.

The result - better context, more creative input earlier in the process and a real chance for professionals to show clients how they can provide the assistance needed - in summary Professional 2.0.