Making Sense of Enterprise 2.0

It has been interesting to see so many organizatios trying to make sense of the implications and differences unfolding as a result of the next generation of web based capabilities, often referred to as Web 2.0 - which relates to the social media aspects of participation and collaboration - having conversations on the web with employees, customers and suppliers. We have seen a major shift in differences between the interactions between the first generation capabilities of the Web prior called Web 1.0 which focused more on disseminating information on the web for knowledge sharing vs interactive and dynamic conversations using rich social media experiences which is the underlying shift with Web 2.0

One of my esteemed Knowledge Management colleagues, Dave Gurteen has prepared some rich comparisons between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 - often referred to as Enterprise 2.0. Outlined below is a summary of his initial comparisons, modified from my perspective of how I see us shifting to the Enterprise of the Future.

Enterprise 1.0
Knowledge sharing and learning is imposed as additional work
vs
Enterprise 2.0 Knowledge sharing and social learning is a welcome natural part of people's everyday work

Enterprise 1.0
Work takes places behind closed doors
vs
Enterprise 2.0
Work takes place openly and transparently where everyone can see it

Enterprise 1.0
Tools are imposed on people
vs
Enterprise 2.0People select the tools that work best for them

Enterprise 1.0
People are controlled out of fear they will do wrong
vs
Enterprise 2.0People are given freedom in return for accepting responsibility

Enterprise 1.0
Information is centralized, protected and controlled
vs
Enterprise 2.0
Information is distributed freely and uncontrolled

Enterprise 1.0
Publishing is centrally controlled
vs
Enterprise 2.0
Anyone can publish what they want and interact with whomever they want

Enterprise 1.0
Context is stripped from information
vs
Enterprise 2.0
Context is retained in the form of stories with rich multi-media experiences

Enterprise 1.0
People think quietly alone
vs
Enterprise 2.0
People think out loud together - you are only in the conversation if you are on the web based conversation

Enterprise 1.0
People tend to write in the third person, in a professional voice
vs
Enterprise 2.0
People write in the first person in their own voice and demonstrate courage to co-create in real-time.

Enterprise 1.0
People especially those in authority are closed to new ideas and new ways of working
vs
Enterprise 2.0
Everyone is open to new ideas and new ideas are encouraged and embraced as a source of new energy for growth and innovation - creativity becomes a core competency of executive leadership

Enterprise 1.0
Information is pushed to people whether they have asked for it or not
vs
Enterprise 2.0
People decide the information they need and subscribe to it - right information in right format in right time becomes a reality

Enterprise 1.0
The world is seen through a Newtonian cause and effect model
vs
Enterprise 2.0The world is recognized to be complex and that different approaches are needed - complexity science takes on new meaning and know-how

You can subscribe to Dave Gurteen's knowledge management letter at this link area.

Every CEO or senior level executive needs to become more familiar with the shift in business perspectives on the organization of the future - its shape, its texture, its voice, its melody - what is clear to many leading business strategists and futurists around the world - is we are in a time period where nothing is safe from change. Many people have voiced the need for agility, flexibility, adapatability, creativity in regenerating our organizational health and intelligence - yet there are few organizations that have truly mastered Enterprise 2.0 outcomes.

Organizations like Google have made major inroads providing flexibility to their employees to pursue projects of passion. Whole Foods engages its talent to select and de-select talent. Gortex encourages its employees to not worry about structure and strive to ensure things just get done. Nike reinforces the entrepreneurial spirit to Do It.

New beginnings create new possibilities. Watching my son today play his Xbox 360 and communicate with 10 of his friends in his game battle - Call of Duty 4 for Modern Warfare - we know that this next generation acts very differently.

We will soon be in Enterprise 3.0 and then 4.0 - fortunately with numbers applied to generational change - we have a long ways to evolve to. I hope I am blessed to live a long rich life - there is so much more to be created in this century - each day is simply a gift to nurture.