I was amused this week to see two examples of workflow getting sexy. That’s not how the developers describe their efforts, but the departure from old groupware notions is clear.

In daring defiance of Zawinski’s proclamation, Jeffrey McManus, with Approver.com, and Karen Greenwood Henke, with Nimble Net (as reported yesterday), are tackling workflow and approval processes.

Combine the increasing numbers of people who are self employed or working in very small businesses that can’t afford those old enterprise groupware “solutions” (but who nonetheless have to get a job done) with the combination of luck, pluck and smarts these two seem to have applied to the challenge, and there’s a chance these new products — groupware 2.0 — might have legs.

Still not sure how Approver.com will get somebody laid (the true definition of social software)? I’m just waiting for somebody to submit for approval a document titled “proposal for licentious relationship including sex and other carnal acts.” With tools so easy to use, and a willing approver, how could it go wrong?

approver.com, groupware, Jeffrey McManus, Karen Greenwood Henke, nimble net, sexy software, social software, stuff that gets you laid, workflow, Zawinski’s proclamation, Zawinski’s proclamation

Way too many people are processing grant applications on paper. They spend a lot of time moving paper around and they don’t know much about who’s applying until after the deadline. That’s why we built Nimble Net.

Karen Greenwood Henke’s been working the world of grants and grantwriting for years. Her site grantwrangler.com, and the new Grant Wrangler Blog represent her efforts to connect grantors with grantees, but Nimble Net delivers the tools necessary to manage the process from announcement to award, and all the application and review processes in between.

There are lots of groups with little or no experience in managing grants, but they may want to give to schools. A contest giving away a bunch of $500 to a teacher for school supplies goes a long way in their community. We help them do that.

Grantors create a list of questions and requirements for applicants, and once an application is submitted, the reviewers have what they need to evaluate it and eventually award the grant.

We’ve already figured out what the process is so you can focus on what you want to give and who you want to give it to.

Karen Greenwood Henke, grant, grant giving, grants, grantwrangler, grantwriting, nimble net