Off to Boston: Enterprise 2.0 gig
May 29, 2008
I really hate all these XX 2.0 monikers. They’re meaningless but then the software industry has become enamoured of their use. Anyhoo. June 9th-12th I’ll be in Boston for Enterprise 2.0. I’m chairing a panel on ‘micro-blogging in the enterprise’ on June 12th. It’s the graveyard session but we’ll make the most of it and have fun in the process.
I’ll be joined by Rachel Happe, analyst with IDC, Chris Brogan, who ‘writes articles and makes media of all kinds’, Laura Fitton who ‘helps make presentations suck less’ but has become something of a Twitter rockstar (and who also presented at Going Solo), Bhaskar Roy, president of Qik and my good friend Loren Feldman, aka 1938 media. Loren doesn’t do much by way of public speaking engagements, preferring instead to either tell everyone how dopey they are on his videos, or poke fun at Silicon Valley luminaries. This is one of my favourites for two reasons:
- He is bang on the money
- He’s right - he looks bad
Someone recently described Loren as ‘the tank cleaner.’ That’s someone who acts like those bottom feeding fish that clean out the crap in the fish tank. It’s necessary and love or hate him, the software industry needs people like Loren. Without folk like he, a lot of the time, the industry would have all the appearance of having its collective head shoved firmly where the sun doesn’t shine.
It will be the first time I’ve met Chris and Rachel so I’m definitely looking forward to that but the person I am most looking forward to meeting is the infectiously optimistic and effervescent Luis Suarez. He’s a glass 3/4 full guy. I’ve had many enjoyable conversations between myself here in Alcaudete and he in Gran Canaria. Luis is one of the those poeple that can ALWAYS put a smile on your face. He is on a roll at the moment, schlepping around Europe spreading the word about dumping email. It will be good to hear how he’s getting on, especially as he works for IBM, a company with which I’d like to get closer.
Apart from these people, I expect to catch up with a slew of friends from around the communities in which I participate.
It’s going to be a fun few days but there will be a lot of learning. If you’re coming, then check out the Enterprise 2.0 Mayhem dinner on Upcoming. I’m definitely attending.
Oh did I tell you? Community is about the people. Hence all the name checks.
Going Solo on the road. Next stop Leeds
May 29, 2008
I’m delighted to say that the Going Solo team will be re-assembling in Leeds on 12th September to reprise what has turned out to be the wildly successful Going Solo event. I’ll need to adjust my presentation somewhat for a more localized audience but hey ho. It will be the first time in more than 11 years that I’ll be in Leeds so it will be something of a nostalgic visit.
More details later.
Are we ready for social computing aka collaboration?
May 29, 2008
Some statistics that emerged from Jive Software’s Business Social Software Jeopardy show which I have lifted from a piece I wrote for IT Counts (closed community so no link):
- 10% of marketing budgets should be allocated to ’social’ projects. Marketing budgets usually run at 6.5% of total revenue so for a small business turning over say £2 million, that equates to £13,000. That’s a very small number but given much social software is free, there’s enough to get some basic consulting and a solid action plan.
- Community sites run by companies need to contain at least 10% negative content in order to be regarded as credible. I take this with something of a pinch of salt because perceptions around service vary among different geographies. Even so, it’s always useful to hear when service sucks because that’s the primary way things change.
- 9 times the number of online community members visit a corporate website compared to non-members. This is a staggering statistic which speaks volumes to the impact on engagement once a community is built.
- 60% of social computing professionals report to board level or senior management. It’s clear that social computing is being taken seriously.
- 60% of companies report having a social software startegy in place. This was a surprise to the panel who believe the answer is much nearer 25-30%.
Sam Lawrence, who devised the game is a smart chap for whom I have a lot of time because of his mastery of creative marketing that is subtle enough to work without offending. The game show format worked well though at an hour long, it tested my patience.
The broader question is whether the evidence presented during the show by Sam and sort of comfirmed by Forrester analysts Jeremiah Owyang and Laura Ramos, are likely to be reflective of what we will see in the UK anytime soon? I really don’t know.
Read more
Nobody cares
May 29, 2008
While preparing for an upcoming presentation, I stumbled across this post on Gapingvoid. I’m not sure much has changed in the intervening period except that a few, by which I mean a handful of passionate professionals, have started to engage with this stuff.
Since I wrote the original words back in December 2006, I don’t think Hugh MacLeod will be too worried if I lift it verbatim:
The “Nobody Cares” Manifesto For Accountants* It’s important to remember debits are on the left and credits on the right - nobody cares. Probably because the system was invented in 1494 and hasn’t changed since.
* We work hard to earn letters behind our names - nobody cares. Importance isn’t derived from academic achievement but what you do for others.
* ROI is an important concept - nobody cares. ROI calculations are something you do when you really don’t want to help your client but to demonstrate to him/her how important you are. For which read 2.
* It’s important to keep good records - nobody cares. Clients aren’t in business to be administrators. If you can’t figure out how to help clients then expect to be outsourced. Probably the day after tomorrow.
* A tidy office implies a tidy mind - nobody cares. A tidy mind is often compartmentalised to the point of tunnel vision. You don’t see tidy at the edge of innovation. Which is where you should be when your clients come up with great ideas.
* Professionals should always wear top quality suits - nobody cares. How you look may be important if your name’s Anina but it sure as heck doesn’t matter when you’re traipsing around a pig farm. You do that occasionally don’t you?
* Your professional status among the community demonstrates integrity - nobody believes you. Professional status is over-rated. Those schmuks from KPMG in court on fraud charges sorted that one out once and for all.
* Adding value is the most important thing you have to do - nobody believes you. Clients can read a 1,000 websites and see that same vacuuous statement. Stuff your website with client stories, preferably written by clients and not some PR outfit.
