Second Life-Yielding results in corporate trainings?

It’s exciting to see the world go digital in different manners and see businesses adopt these new technologies. The most intriguing experience in bringing a whole new dimension to holding meetings was the introduction of teleconferencing. I liked the idea that a medium like TelePresence (by Cisco) could enable you sit in a ‘virtual’ round table and have meetings while viewing other participants in the meeting via a screen. I saw this as a whole new way to cut costs in businesses by having meetings between participants from distant locations on TelePresence.

However, the same feeling doesn’t enfold my perception of Second Life (SL). I feel really skeptical about the effectiveness of this social media tool in the professional world. Having meetings or trainings might not yield the optimum level of results using this communication channel. Though I had heard a bit about Second Life before today, I had never experienced using it so decided to sign up today after reading the article: Fast Talk: Getting a (Second) Life. Not to my surprise, I got a first turn-off while using it when Second Life crashed due to system incompatibilities!
IBM’s decision to make this a training tool raises many questions within me. Knowing well the implications of a delayed training on employees swinging into full actions on their job, has IBM fully weighed the risks of delays due to technical difficulties when using SL in this training? The site connects users via different servers and thus functions like any IT based architecture that is prone to server breakdown, connection issues, etc.

Aside technical difficulties that may be encountered, I also believe the ability to have a physical interaction during training about a company’s culture would be much more effective in building the company culture in new employees rather than just listening to any explanations via an avatar. I see huge risks of passing inaccurate or insufficient information to the new employees in using SL as a training tool. This is consequently critical to their success on the jobs and as such should be carefully analyzed.

SL might be able to prove its worth in other areas I haven’t explored since it has quite a wide variety of applications by its users; However, I feel it shouldn’t be used for delicate and very result-driven circumstances like trainings or business meetings.

Information in a Web 2.0 era!

“But isn’t the difference between the know-nothing and the professional obvious?” -These words caught my attention in Andrew Kern’s article which addresses today’s role of web 2.0 tools in America’s intellectual authority. Describing those without academic degrees and professional degrees as “know-nothings’ might be termed ignorant in itself. Knowledge goes beyond class-room experience and professional degrees. A wide scope of knowledge is gathered from real life experiences; that of which is not bound by professional certifications and academic degrees. Take for instance, today’s IT world, a lot of computer experts might not necessarily be literate but may have much more advice to offer than those with computer degrees have to offer with respect to some issues.

I’ll however say that it might be good to differentiate where to source digital information. The credibility of some information might not be ascertained in totality however some piece of this can be achieved by seeking for some “professional” type of information (as the case may be) from more relevant sources. This is highlighted in Andrew’s suggestion for associations to create blogs targeted at offering specific professional advice. However, still lurking in this suggestion is the authenticity issue. The professional blogs still don’t deal with the “digital Tom Dick and Harrys”. How would verification of professional expertise of proposed members be achieved? I believe authorizing members is based on information these proposed members provide. Will organizations actually go a step further to confirm their claims?? Is this not the same "false information" lurking around the so called “know-nothings”?

So drawing from the broad knowledge or opinion (as the case may be) I have learnt from the internet populace in general, I won’t totally rule out the strength of information from blogs and “random’ social media. There’s quite a whole lot that can be learnt from the “know-nothings”. Tackling authentication issues irrespective of source might be a more interesting issue for the Silicon Valley firms to address …Perhaps via a Web 3.0 initiative ?Uh!!!

Networking- For business or for pleasure?

The power of relationships established through networking has definitely benefited me as an individual. I secured my current internship through a ‘second-degree’ level of contact as LinkedIn would describe it. Having tirelessly searched for internships on Indeed, my Business school career site amongst other job sites, I almost gave up on the job search. However, I got referral from someone I met in a social gathering. Likewise, my pre-MBA job was also secured through referral from a friend.

However, this week, an interesting article - The Savvy Networker caught my attention. On reading the article, I discovered that the article basically highlights mistakes of individuals on perceived connotation of networking from the business/Job search perspective. It tactically eludes the social aspect to networking. This brings up the question in my mind why networking is often perceived only from the professional/ job search perspective.

Drawing from the examples of my pre-MBA job and current internship which were secured through ‘Social networking’ contacts, it is evident that professional networks can be built or established even from social networking. However, many people tend to distinctly differentiate between the two thereby missing the opportunity of achieving professional networking benefits though social networking activities. Making deliberate attempts to build professional contacts might not be enough.... That happy, cheerful and ‘unimportant’ barber you visit twice a month might just be your link to landing you a dream job if the CEO of the prospect firm is his customer. In my opinion, there’s just a grey area between social and professional networking. Think about it!

The Future of Marketing!

I recently read an article, 'Word of Mouse' from the Economist and it dawned on me how much Web2.0 technology has crept into businesses today and created opportunities like never before. Conversational marketing- marketing by establishing a two way communication between businesses and customers is just one of these latest opportunities seized from the Web 2.0 buzz.

Although, some companies have realized that it is more effective to reach out to their customers by engaging in ‘conversations’ to ensure that they are listening to their customers and meeting their demands; many others are still left out of this whole frenzy.

Just like in any regular conversation, a two way communication of speaking and listening proves to be more effective than one-way in creating mutual benefits for both parties. The conversational approach to marketing is helping to integrate that ‘listening’ section lacking in the conventional approach of TV adverts, billboards, etc.

Being an addict fan of Facebook, I have visited so many business pages with some having fans of over 3 million people. The discussion boards not only help to create a personal relationship with the brand but also help me as a consumer to associate better with these many people with similar interests. Also, just like in relationships where we all desire attention, the recognition from businesses for being affiliated with their brands or products creates a strong attachment. Personally, I have derived so much satisfaction from these experiences which often motivate me to further endorse such products to my friends and family- Word-of-mouth marketing.

In the years to come, I see a lot of opportunities amass for companies as they embrace this approach to marketing. Even the most conservative firms might need to recognize the inefficiencies of the conventional marketing channels of placing advertisements on TV, and pasting information on sites, billboards that do not listen to my opinion or acknowledge my 'presence'!:)

Female bosses!

Hey! I'm sure you'll love to read this post by Sarah if you've ever had a female boss!