Organizations need to plan and deploy networking strategies that are in tune with business goals and objectives. These strategies must be developed with a firm understanding of the relative strengths and weaknesses of a networking solution for any given business objective and situation. Here's how to use a strategic approach to networking:

1. Re-establish organizational GOALS as the driving force behind change that involves networking.

2. Carefully lay out OBJECTIVES based on a robust "mental model" of those functions of the organization that are involved and the people for whom these innovations must serve (both within and outside the organization).

3. Develop STRATEGIES that balance the organizational objectives against the features and benefits of available network technologies, such as intranets and the Internet.

4. Employ TACTICS which "situate" these strategies in explicitly documented and shared procedures that employ strategic networking for specific business functions. For example, establishing a pilot project for workgroup collaboration using a mix of newsgroup, mailing list, and Web applications.