Credibility By Position in 1.0
Friday: July 13, 2007 7:38 AM
In Enterprise 1.0, individuals were designated experts by their position. When you wanted advice on mobile devices you went to see the John because he was the segment lead over mobility. When you wanted an expert Java developer you went to Mike because he was in charge of application development. If you wanted search information, well that was Sally since she owned the search group. Many times, you actually were redirected by these people since position within an organization structure rarely indicates subject matter expertise.
Enterprise 2.0 and social Software can be seen as a threat or opportunity depending on how you approach it. If you were granted your expert status by position then you should see Web 2.0 as a threat. The real knowledge SME’s will emerge through the use of unbounded conversations and open communications. As people ask for advice, provide insight, and demonstrate their knowledge, the positional experts will fall by the way side. If you decide to stay on the side lines then you will lose that influence because others will step forward and fill in the gaps. Suppose you are starting an Enterprise CRM program. The VP says that we need a Data Modeling Expert. You speak up, since you own the Data Resource Management team.
“We own that so we need to be involved in the planning”. The VP responds, “No , I have been reading the Enterprise Wiki on DRM and Kim Smith seems to have some incredible insight. Let’s bring her into the program instead. By her professional profile she has 20 years in data modeling experience and how many years does your folks have?” You mumble something along the lines of five.
Enterprise 2.0 is an opportunity to tear down the walls of organizational control where people are granted SME status by position or title. SME’s status will be earned or taken away by those that have the real experience, real insight, and the ability to communicate in this new medium. This is an opportunity but many will view this is has a threat to their very existence within the enterprise.
In Enterprise 1.0, individuals were designated experts by their position. When you wanted advice on mobile devices you went to see the John because he was the segment lead over mobility. When you wanted an expert Java developer you went to Mike because he was in charge of application development. If you wanted search information, well that was Sally since she owned the search group. Many times, you actually were redirected by these people since position within an organization structure rarely indicates subject matter expertise.
Enterprise 2.0 and social Software can be seen as a threat or opportunity depending on how you approach it. If you were granted your expert status by position then you should see Web 2.0 as a threat. The real knowledge SME’s will emerge through the use of unbounded conversations and open communications. As people ask for advice, provide insight, and demonstrate their knowledge, the positional experts will fall by the way side. If you decide to stay on the side lines then you will lose that influence because others will step forward and fill in the gaps. Suppose you are starting an Enterprise CRM program. The VP says that we need a Data Modeling Expert. You speak up, since you own the Data Resource Management team.
“We own that so we need to be involved in the planning”. The VP responds, “No , I have been reading the Enterprise Wiki on DRM and Kim Smith seems to have some incredible insight. Let’s bring her into the program instead. By her professional profile she has 20 years in data modeling experience and how many years does your folks have?” You mumble something along the lines of five.
Enterprise 2.0 is an opportunity to tear down the walls of organizational control where people are granted SME status by position or title. SME’s status will be earned or taken away by those that have the real experience, real insight, and the ability to communicate in this new medium. This is an opportunity but many will view this is has a threat to their very existence within the enterprise.
