Social Technographics Profile

As I was reading through the book, Groundswell, I have been thinking a good bit about my social technographics profile. This blog is not the first one that I have had, but I haven't updated one regularly in a while. I am a member of quite a few social sites, where I generally do not post new information, but rather comment on other people's content. This leans me towards the profiles of a Joiner and Critic. According to the book, this puts me within 45% and 59% of the rest of the 18-27 male population. Overall, the book has made some interesting evaluations involving the online profiles. I would assess the idea that people desire to connect, to create, to stay in touch, and to help each other as universal emotions that drive people to the groundswell as accurate. It is also interesting to see the different cultures' relative participation in the groundswell. This new idea of reaching the consumer from the groundswell is revolutionary, but is profound in that it connects them to the product at a whole new level.

Hulu

Hulu is a web-based movie database, where consumers can simply browse and play video content (even in HD!). This service is free and commercials help offset any cost to the consumer. Unlike Youtube, consumers cannot add video content, but content is uploaded from major TV networks. I do not know if the intend to charge for this service, but it is similar to netflix's "instant" movie services (which cost about $10 a month. I know many individuals that do not have TV service, but rather use Hulu to watch whatever they would like, on demand. Enjoy this short SNL clip about consumer spending, and apply the knowledge you gain to your life!

Purchasing a Home

This month I have really been considering purchasing my first home. I have rented either an apartment or house for my entire life, and the current stimulus bill offers me $8,000 in tax savings towards this purchase if I have a signed contract before April 30th. Based on my research, I would also have to close on the house by June 30th.

I have found that there are many different things to consider when buying your first home. Some of the essential considerations are the mortgage and payments, property tax, insurance, PMI (if applicable), interest and principle portions, crime rates, proximity to the interstates, school districts, the pricing of the house itself, and working with banks and realtors. This is very intimidating! I do not know how I would be able to manage all this without all of the valuable knowledge and wisdom I have gained in my classes. I feel like most people that make these decisions, do it without fully understanding all of the data that is put in front of them. It is absolutely necessary to have knowledge in order to create information from data. This is the application of knowledge management to my life!

Digg

I have used Digg on a number of occasions, and without fail, it has always provided interesting news stories, blogs, or just about anything on the web. It is a powerful networking device that pulls pieces of the internet together, allowing users to rate their interest level and the importance of the article. This type of tool is elementary in concept, but vastly useful.

People, empowered by technology, have the ability to accomplish seemingly nearly anything. Digg is on the front of the "empowerment" line, allowing people to connect and form community within the scope of the entire internet. This is big stuff!


You can check it out by navigating to www.digg.com

The Golden Arches

I respect McDonald's. They took a lot of heat in the last decade about being unhealthy and not meeting the needs of the consumers' diets. They have adapted their entire business and stores to meet that need. This is mostly a result of the openness to change in the CEO's leadership. This has made the corporation fast to adapt to the market's criticism. Cantalupo's distinct leadership giving the company a competitive advantage, even when faced with changing management.

In a business that is a global leader in the food industry, it is important for McDonald's to adapt quickly to meet the needs of different cultures in a speedy manner. Even ketchup tastes different in different cultures! With these types of worldwide differences, McDonald's needs to have an open and diverse workforce or community.

The Power of Blogging

Today I read a large portion of the book, Enterprise 2.0. One of the excerpts in the section I will be responsible for presenting discusses the potential for these ESSPs to stop terrorism attacks like what happened on 9/11. I do agree with the author about the strength in blogging and sharing knowledge, but I am skeptical about whether this could actually increase the predictability of future terrorist attacks. In my opinion, this claim seemed like an exaggeration.

I also saw very little distinction between converting potential ties and interactions between strangers. Though it is a very valid and useful point, it seems as though it is the same point said in two different ways.

On a side note, I am very curious of how I did on the exam last week. I hope I did good enough to get an A!

Financial Peace

I've spent the past few days making a budget (aside from being sick!). I have been going through a study with my college bible study based on Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. That man is so incredibly wise when it comes to financial decisions! In the book, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Financial Fitness, he explains the different types of accounts you need in a monthly budget as well as his 5 baby steps to lasting wealth.

Let me be the first to tell you, if you make it to the 5th step you are both very wealthy and very wise. His writing and speaking ability makes the book and video series easy to comprehend and easy to use. This level of communication is what organizations strive for. The skill set that he possesses has allowed him to share his gift with millions and millions of individuals all across America--in a very useful way. Thanks, Dave!

Enterprise 2.0

I have finally made some headway into the chapters my group will be presenting for Saturday from the Enterprise 2.0 book. The executive summary of these two chapters would be...

Chapter 3 takes a step back in time, and describes how the new collaborative technologies and communities on the internet appeared, and also that they were radical departures of previous communities, not just incremental improvements.

Chapter 4 discusses how each of the organizations adopted new technologies and collaborative practices and benefited greatly. It also places the case studies within a broader framework that illustrates the value of Enterprise 2.0 for four different categories of user:

1. Strongly tied colleagues,

2. Weakly tied colleagues,

3. Potential collaborators who are not yet working together,

4. And professional strangers.

I am curious to get into the later chapters of this book. I know that these types of internet services have impacted and changed daily living for most people and businesses. I am just curious to see if the author will expound further than my understanding. I hope so.

Increasing Returns of Scale and the Internet

The internet and it's resources are becoming more and more useful. Both organizations and individual users find a need to be online. As more users begin to upload content to the internet (via youtube, facebook, wikipedia, etc) the internet becomes increasingly more useful to other users. Although this is true, as illustrated by the above comic, there is not very much accountability on the internet.

For businesses, it is essential to have some sort of founding site where consumers can find information, and marketing on social sites is probably efficient. Today I was browsing apartments in Nashville online. I was using google maps to read reviews, compare opinions, and find relative prices. An apartment complex that has established a good online community where I can read reviews, view floor plans, and get information quickly has a much higher chance of getting on my list than one that simply has a phone number to call.

Knowledge and Action

One of the topics that came up on Saturdays lecture was the idea that knowledge and wisdom do not in themselves create value. In fact, if knowledge and wisdom are not externalized, no value can be created. Value is added when this tacit knowledge influences the actions of individuals and they way they do things.

This idea is biblical. James 1:22-25 says:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

As you read scripture, it is important to not simply internalize the knowledge attained, but rather to apply it to your life. This will bring value to your life. The bible refers to this value as God's blessing.

This is the most prevalent message I could deliver to you from God. The freedom that comes from living your life to the standard of God is a liberation from the evil that reigns on this earth through the blood of Christ. Ask for it in faith, and it will be given to you.

Knowledge Assets in the Music Industry

If you would have asked me a few years ago what my dream job would be, I more than likely would have told you that I would like to be a producer in the music industry. A producer is someone who goes to the studio with artists and musicians, sets up all of the recording equipment to get the desired sound, and tweaks all of the hardware and software in order to create hit songs. Let me tell you, there is a plethora of techniques for setup, hardware, software, and controls that impact each little nuance in a song.

This type of know-how asset is very tacit in nature, and will not flow easily from one individual to another. Even if someone is mentored by a highly skilled producer, this type of knowledge asset will not easily transfer. You may understand what they are doing, but understanding when and why they do each minor adjustment requires a certain "gift"--you must have an ear trained to understand every little piece of a song. Every fabric sewn into a song then becomes evident as you hear it.


The complex process and assembly of music makes this type of knowledge asset low in supply and high in demand. Organizations with the top producers will have the hit songs, many times regardless of the artists' abilities.

Apple

Apple is one of the most innovative companies in the market today. They are continually searching for methods to stretch market demand into new areas, and lead the market in several areas (mp3 players, personal computing, etc). The key to the success of an organization like Apple lies in knowledge management. In order for the creativity in different departments to flow through other departments, creating synergy. About a week ago they released the Ipad, which I emphasizes their innovation and marketing.


Apple always tries to develop simplicity in their products. Watching the video on the Ipad, I believe this is exactly what they have created. Looking into the future, I also believe this will be a part of knowledge management and networking. As users begin to adopt the Ipad, they will have more continual access to the internet, their library of books, and a means to communicate with their networks involving all of the information that is literally "at their fingertips."

Wisdom and Understanding

Every morning, I spend time reading the bible and dwelling on topics it discusses. In this way, I expand my knowledge, understanding, and wisdom daily. The bible is the only solid standing truth that we have on this earth--everything else is devised by man, who is just as unwise as I am. Because the bible is from God, we can trust it to be all-knowledgeable and all-wise.

Proverbs directly deals with the acquisition of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (very similar to knowledge management!). According to Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." I believe when we humble ourselves and allow God speak to us, we are able to expand in knowledge and wisdom. Most of the time growing up, I have found that I am wrong. The ability to accept God's discipline, and consequently his wisdom over my own, is a technique that I have had to develop over time. I still work on it daily. It strengthens me and makes my way absolutely perfect. That is how the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge in my life.

Social V.S. Collaborative

Interestingly enough, both of these words mean essentially the same thing.

Social

1.	pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations:

2. seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious.

Collaborative

1. To work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort.

2. To cooperate treasonably, as with an enemy occupation force in one's country.

The core of either word rests in working together, and emphasizes the importance of relationships. Although this is true, the connotation to either word in the business world are opposite in nature. Social has the connotation of wasting time, non-work-related activities, or even productivity-draining, while collaborative on the other hand, is regarded as clutch for successful knowledge management initiatives. This is pointed out in the introduction of Enterprise 2.0. The emphasis of collaboration and community occurs time and time again throughout the articles we have read on knowledge management. Perhaps we should be reconsidering the connotation of these words as similar, rather than distant.

Mystery and Technology

Today I began reading Enterprise 2.0, and I found some fascinating ideas throughout the introduction. The author began the book with a brief survey and discussion of new technology like Facebook, Google, Oracle, Apple, RIM, Blackberries, iPhones, Java, and even Wikis. As he began discussing the growth of some of these areas, I realized how familiar I am with some of these interfaces. Interestingly enough, as familiar as I feel like I am, I really have no idea how these types of things work.

Innovation at companies like Google, Apple, and RIM must be consistently well-beyond what I consider "familiar." Take a few seconds and consider Google. The people (mostly everyone) that use google searches are diverse, and all have separate things that they are looking for, yet when they perform a google search they are all able to find exactly what they need. The google algorithm must be something incredible, because it is able to meet the needs of almost every internet user, within the few seconds it takes to load a page of results.