As businesses begin to integrate social media into their long term strategies, they are looking for ways to take collaboration, coordination, and networking to the next level.  And Carlin Wiegner, CEO and co-founder of Cube Tree believes his company has the answer.

Last May, Cube Tree quietly released their new internal social media software just out of beta.   But before that, Wiegner and his business partner Ross Fubini were working for Symantec, a leading internet security company and found a need for a better way for employees housed in multiple locations to communicate and interface with one another on multiple projects.  Both Wiegner and Fubini tried tools like video conferencing, wikis, microblogging, and others for the purposes of knowledge transfer and idea creation but nothing fit quite right.

Cube Tree uses a FaceBook style platform that allows for internal company communication that integrates with systems including Twitter, Google Docs, WebEx, Salesforce and more.  Additional, they provide the ability to edit and update wikis with ease while allowing users an option to test drive the platform offering a Freemium option versus a free trial.  Freemium allows users to test drive all the features without limitations.  Depending on your business need, Cube Tree offers Basic, Professional, and Enterprise editions ranging from no cost to $5 per user per month.

One feature that I was particularly impressed with was their mobile options for users who are on the go.  Cube Tree seamlessly works on your smart phone including Blackberries and iPhones and even allows for instant messaging.  Companies that are seeking to be transparent can benefit from Cube Tree and their use of blogs allowing for thought leaders to generate discussion and influence business strategies or company culture.  The software also allows for manager and peer recommendations or “kudos” feature that is viewable on employees individual profiles.

Internal social media tools like Cube Tree can be used for more than project coordination and as a form of talent management tool.  Recruiters and Human Resource professionals can keyword search allowing for access to internal passive candidate profiles while also posting open positions on threads within the network.  This also allows the recruiting model to become flipped where associates can aggressively search for talent managers allowing them immediate interaction with recruiters and improving the internal candidate experience.

Companies should consider Cube Tree when shopping for internal and collaborative communication tools.  Their seamless integration with most any social media platform and leading business communication tools provide companies a way to develop, attract, and retain a company’s most valuable asset, their people.

Photo Credit Cultivation Posterous