<p>NewsGator found itself in a position that may sound familiar to other businesses: its employees were disengaged. The work was getting done, but there was no emotional connection to it. It was time for a change.</p><p>Earlier this year NewsGator introduced a team focused on improving participation and engagement for their clients' social workplaces but took it one step further leading by example, making social a living, breathing thing in their workplace. The quest to make work suck less is ongoing, but they are well on their way. As the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Engagement, Melissa Risteff has been in the thick of this change and speaks directly to how NewsGator turned their employee engagement around.</p><p>Siobhan Fagan: What event or problems prompted NewsGator's change in strategy?</p><p>We've always believed that social business is the future of work. Being innovative so early in the space enabled us to delight our clients as we were so responsive to their needs. With Microsoft's dedication to providing basic infrastructure with SharePoint, Lync and Yammer, we can focus on what we love the most: adding real business value through social business. We're seeing that the market is really ready and we're dedicating a 100% of our time, passion and resources to our mission to "Make Social Real."</p><p><a href="http://www.cmswire.com/cms/social-business/interview-melissa-risteff-on-newsgators-ongoing-quest-to-make-social-real-021667.php">Keep reading...</a></p>