Love it or loath it web 2.0 is here to stay. While the debates about the business applications for facebook rage on, there are definitely case studies of organisations using social networking sites to their advantage – find out how here
Social networks’ appeal lies in the fact that they’re:
* Second-generation: Early efforts at knowledge management focused on information systems – and didn’t work, vs communities of practice, which replicate social structures i.e. personal connections between people
* Expected: SelectMinds survey showed the at almost 50% of Generation Y employees (under-25s) considered the availability of a community of practice in their decision to join or stay with an employer
* In tune with the times: With a new generation of learners expecting autonomy, participation and collaboration as default
* Flexible: Employees control where and when they learn e.g. in real-time, at their own pace; can revisit materials
* Credible: Even internally top-down channels can look like HR flannel or corporate flak vs social networking, which is by definition bottom-up and informal
Dow Chemical: uses social networks to connect to former employees for the following
1. won’t let go: signs up retirees to corporate network to ensure they don’t take accumulated wisdom with them
2. keeps her in the family: transition back into workplace eased by ongoing membership during maternity leave
3. ‘onboards’ newbies: who can see at a glance who knows what and who they should be talking to
4. poaches former employees: saves on recruitment costs by bringing back proven expertise via continuous communities
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