bluereek

Andrew McAfee has been blogging recently on coexistence of email and enterprise 2.0/collaboration type tools in the enterprise.  His hypothesis is: ‘Within organizations, collaboration technologies are dictated by the most powerful person involved in the collaboration’.
And following on from this, given the number of CEO’s wedded to email, would seem that email will continue to be the core communications/ collaboration tool for some time, in many organisations.

I think of the challenge differently.  The CEO operates in  a competitive environment, charged with delivering results for the shareholders.  If there’s a better way to run a company many CEO’s will be open to the change.  If there is a better way than email then it’s up to those who understand the alternatives to paint the picture.  There are plenty of CEOs out there who will switch tool sets if they believe in the benefits.

I think the idea of ‘email as the graveyard of knowledge’ would be well understood by many CEOs.  In fact many would argue that email, computers, software, in general have been the graveyard of creativity, ’spark’, stimulating interaction.  Notwithstanding this level of frustration I think many can see the potential benefits of ‘wiki-type’ tools (incorporating social networking functionality) over some combination of email and Word/PowerPoint/ Excel.

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Interesting post on project healthdesign: The Doctor’s Role in a Health 2.0 World.

Describing the patient as the ceo for his own body ie he takes responsibility, while the doctro is described as the consultant – advising the patient, seems like a good model, which reinforces the idea that the patient needs to manage his own lifesytyle, etc.

The other interesting obeservation relates to the general ‘information overload’ being experienced by all of us in all walks of life.  It is quite possible that a patient may know a great deal more about his specific condition than the doctor providing the advice.  However the doctor hopefully brings a broader picture and understanding.  Seems no reason why the patient and doctro should not collaborate in advaincing the situation.  Of course this does tend to turn the more traditional doctor/ patient model on its head.

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Dan O’Brien (senior Editor & Economist, the Economist Intelligence unit) did not hold back in his call to action in his article in the Irish Times yesterday.  O’Brien is a well known face to the Irish public – through his regular appearances on Prime Time.  Clearly he is very fearful for the outlook for the Irish economy.

O’Brien is critical of our political system – whereby he believes we do not get the most competent people in key positions at a time of crisis.  I would agree with this.  My previous urging for a National Government is just another example of this.  Interesting to see Buffett reminding Democrats and Republicans to work together to address this ‘Pear Harbour’ economic situation – in his recent CNN interviews.  At best Fianna Fail’s invitations to the opposition to put forward their ideas can be described as half hearted.  The Fine Gael response was less than half hearted – they are more like a ‘dog in heat’ – believing they have the opportunity to grab power in the near future.  Heaven help us.

Returning to Dan O’Brien – he obviously believes the government is avoiding the issues re management at the main banks.  I had presumed, that given that the government is represented on both boards, they were 100% satisifed with the recent appointment of a new CEO at Bank of Ireland.  I think O’Brien is very clear – they should all go.

Interesting to listen to Michael Soden (former CEO Bank of Ireland) on this morning’s Eamonn Dunphy radio show.  Soden suggested complete replacement of both main bank boards (on basis of being in place while 99% of the value disappeared) - rotating off 4 at a time – getting to a new Board within 12 months.  Seems like a reasonable approach – and perhaps a way to implement what O’Brien is suggesting.  Soden excludes from necessary removal those with less than 2 years on the Board.

Things are moving on.  Obviously Messrs Cowen and Lenihan have been engaged in a serious roadshow for the last week.  There have been distractions – including unhelpful – and supposedly unfounded – comments from a German politician – subsequently countered by the German Minister for Finance.  The move towards a ‘toxic bank’ seems to be gathering speed in the US.  But clearly the US is taking the view that is can continue to write money to kick start things.  Only David McWilliams seems to think Ireland can do something similar (listening to him on Prime Time during the week).

Here in Ireland the press continues to be highly sceptical/ critical.  I continue to believe that a right of centre govenment (combining FG and FF – and anyone else who wants to be part of it) – would provide a national response and have the capability to win over far greater support – both in the street and the press.  Within such a government there should be room for non elected experts in key cabinet positions – is that’s what it takes.  Dan O’Brien is just another well informed commentator putting up his hand (again) and warning us that we are not doing enough.

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Interesting when you read Paul Krugman in the NY Times – also frustrated at behaviour of US government and its dealings with banks in US.  They talk a big game but not walking the talk.

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The wiki provides the opportunity to promote knowledge management.  But are our senior executives ready to participate in this web 2.0 enabled environment? email has, to some extent, made people more available (though it may be argued that a certain amount of hiding has been facilitated) e.g. the junior staffer may directly email the CEO.  However the wiki involves a more collaborative and more public exchange of information/ opinion.  In order to promote this use of the technology senior management must set the right tone – encouraging participation at all levels of the organisation. 

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