John Turnbow February 28 2011 09:37:30 PM
I was reflecting recently about all the things that go on in IT. While "Keeping the Lights" on work like OS upgrades is valuable or even switching from one vendor to another for whatever reason is hard to justify. This type of work does nothing to contribute to the bottom line, it's just dead money. Like the Gartner report of 10/2006 stated anything that does not contribute to your business growth or enhancing your competitive advantage is Dead Money. In today's environment it is critical to deliver growth and the competitive advantage that the CEO is expecting (to steal Gartner's line).
So, why do I bring this up. Well, it's Business Social Media, Lotus Connections and Lotus Live that when used with other tools for listening and responding can deliver that competitive advantage, growth, a greater knowledge through our friends and colleagues. When you add a network, that works like the "borg" all together what I see are companies who listen, have the magic triangle of Customer Service/Support, PR, Sales & Marketing and R&D all working together for common goal like the "borg". I think that working together like the "borg" with tools like Connections, Lotus Live, Video, Yammer, Youtube, Slideshare and many other tools can make us like the "borg" all working together inside and outside the firewall. The "borg" did amazing things on Star Trek. Our new borg tools can enable us all to do amazing things also.
For those thinking that wow, this is just too new, then you've missed the boat and not watched what has been happening over the last few years. Remember the Technology Adoption Lifecycle made famous in "Crossing the Chasm" by Geoffy Moore. Check the bell curve, I believe we are coming to the top of that curve very rapidly with new tools appearing all the time. Most of these tools are not new, they are tested and used by thousands and millions depending on the tool
Money spent on Social Media is live dancing like a crazy person money. It is money that gives a better Customer Service, a modern Sales and Marketing force where everyone is a publisher, Innovation and ideas never tapped before, Interaction at the speed of click with everyone you need to make something succeed. So, you can help deliver what your CEO wants, something that gives his company an opportunity for growth and a competitive advantage using new media.
If you're not involved, you can bet your competitor is. Social Media can be positive and if you are not listening,you can lose what you prize most, your reputation. It takes years to build and only minute to undo, that quickly if you are not listening.
Just my little vision....
