Facebook & the Vagaries of a 2.0 Life

Preparing to present a Master Class as part of a KM conference, I happened across Jade Catalina's interesting question on Linked In, "how would you implement Facebook within the corporate intranet"?

I just love this question! And the general reaction has been equally interesting.

My session in a k-focused event will face the reality, as one respondent observed, that workers my daughter's age (and colleagues much, much older) are increasingly seamless in their use of technologies. that is everything from SMSs, sticks for storage and transfer, social networks, videoTubes and so much more--dare I say it--even Linked in!

Anybody involved in knowledge focused initiatives knows that a huge problem is lack of meaningful user participation in knowledge sharing. Facebook does have something going for it: attraction. Users use it.

The challenge is to discern the elements that might be translated into a work setting, augmenting communication, community and capacity building in ways that contribute to corporate capacity and intellectual capital--without draining resources to the extent that all that capital can't be put to good use!

From a corporate accountability perspective, however, Facebook and the like present challenges far beyond wasted time.

The "what are you doing right now" app can reveal what should not be generally publicized simply because users think "community" and do not understand how the tool may present confidential data to others.

"Tagging" can reveal connections that may be very useful in forensic audit related to litigation. One respondent commented on "pokes", but these are probably the least of the questionable approaches. Have you been kissed by a vampire yet, or had someone send a photograph that, while not obscene, is absolutely one that you don't want a passing colleague to see on your screen? Maybe you've been slapped!

What about dialogue that shapes thinking surely the point of a k-focus. How is the influence on a corporate decision process recognized, much less defended (in an SOX context)?

Ahh...this is what makes my work so much fun--not Facebook (though I'm winning at scrabblicious). Rather, it's the need to develop strategies and roadmaps to cope with the implications of ever more ad hoc technologies, siphoning resources and blurring--as much as enhancing--what we know.

There's an interesting TED Talk by Larry Lessig on how technology and the habits of users are creating a tolerance for non-compliance with law and regulation among those we are and will be hiring.

It's no good sticking heads in the sand. This is evolution in the making. It's not yes/no, right or wrong...it's, do we recognize the opportunity and the challenge, and are we managing it effectively?