As a person working in the ‘web 2.0′ world I see first hand the tsunami of social technologies washing into our personal and professional lives. My work with clients usually begins with change strategy, elearning, and knowledge. In all cases my work is on active application of these technologies as opposed to simply adding another layer of systems that people must grapple with on a daily basis. Active application means the technology is implemented to deliver a measurable result. In the broader view these technologies, whether part of the workspace or the personal space, are now part of the modus operandi that many of us consider normal. But what are the outcomes? In just the case of social networking there are so many choices with so many options and not very clearly defined outcomes for participation. Is it ego? Is it a genuine desire to link with others on a personal or professional level? I am amazed how many offers I receive to participate in these social networks and yet I feel pretty ‘maxed’ out now. How many more emails can I squeeze into my day on top of meetings, phone calls and planning/thinking time? The latter may be a pipedream for many people who do not schedule planning and thinking into their calendars; is it any wonder? So when do I social network? What are the other commitments I have in my life that compete for time and which ones are processes or system as opposed to relationships? I suppose my rant is really a bit of a catharsis for me as I feel compelled to operate in the web networked world but the impact on both time and compulsion is far greater than many of us expect. If we begin to compel our employees to add this layer to an already bulging technology workspace there must be a direct alignment with outcomes that can be measured and communicated in a meaningful way.
