Social Web, a Global Experience Essay

* Social networks connect people separated by geography and the organigram, allowing them to share what they are doing with those they would never meet otherwise, and to find common elements around which they can collaborate.
  * Sharing experience with colleagues is a source of inspiration and innovation, which, if nurtured and supported, can transmogrify into a virtuous cycle of creativity and productivity.
  * Interactions will also result in serendipity: you will discover work being done by others that you would never have met otherwise, from which you (both) can benefit by capturing economies of scale and scope, providing mutual support, or improving your initiatives by getting feedback and incorporating new ideas.  In Enterprise Risk Management we say that anytime you have a conversation around risk, good things happen.  The same principle applies here.  Communicating, networking and collaborating with others will make your work better.  Those that can communicate cannot help but be successful.
Benefits for the staff member
  * It’s fun: human beings are social animals and hard-wired to connect.  As the success of Facebook will attest, if given the tools people will spontaneously connect.
  * By connecting with staff outside of one’s functional area, you can develop new knowledge and skills, helping you find synergies between projects.  Obtaining new experience and skills will also expand your employ-ability.
  * The ability to influence is a key to success.  Achieving this requires a diverse, dynamic network.  The social web provides the tools to nurture and expand your professional links.
Risks
  * Data security: it is impossible to eradicate something once it is published on the net.  One must be careful not to post information that may damage the Organization or sensitive material, such as personal data.
  * Posting Inappropriate Content: this is often the result of a mistake (see the next bullet for another cause) stemming from the...