Facebook keeps up the challange! Are you?

As reported earlier Facebook is introducing Facebook 2.0 with a lot of new features and looks like the Timeline, Social Apps, …. As always change creates resistance, some people think this is cool, other think it sucks! Especially young people find the new feel, look and features of Facebook cool and nice, while older people tend to be more sceptical (change is always difficult, especially when you adopt slower!)?

But maybe this time our young generation (digital natives) needs to be aware of the impact of this change for other reasons then the older generations (digital immigrants). While digital immigrants have a problem with finding all the new features and menu’s for proper use, most of the digital natives have already found a back-entrance to create their Timeline….unaware off opening up their complete Facebook history (not to mention their whole internet history, as Facebook seems to be tracking this as well – unaware off course!). (Privacy) settings weren’t always top priority when we posted stuff in the past. So every post, pictures, like, friend, share, event, …. you added without settings creates an item on the Timelins.  So you better make time to scroll down memory lane, and find oy what you have been up to on Facebook the last years…and start editing/curating your stuff (again).

So take the necessary time to create the proper lists, (privacy) settings, lay-out, …. before you unleash the Timeline! If used properly and controlled this is a really nice instrument, which can/will be used to give a nice overview on people’s lives! BUT be aware off what you share with whom….your boss, clients, …. don’t need to see your latest beach pictures of party updates, while your employer of colleague(s) want to know what you’ve keeps you busy (and especially job seekers need to create a Timeline for future employers, giving them accurate professional information on who they are, what their field of study and interest is, prior jobs, ….) The Timeline is a strong instrument to be used this way!

Good luck picking up the challenge!

 

PEW research on the digital native

Reading, writing & research in the digital age is the title of a PEW research institute on how the digital revolution has influenced the digital native. Interesting round-up of figures, stats and graphs on media use of the digital natives (up until 2009)….and that’s the one down part of this research it’s only until 2009. You, and me, know that 2 years time in a digital age is a lifetime….but still these figures confirm most insights we already knew about digital natives! I’ll round-up the best….you can scroll to through the whole presentation at the end!

• In less than 10 years time Internet usage of teens (12-17y) and young adults (18-29y)  as grown to almost 95%. But we still see a significant difference between all adults and youngsters Internet use (although the oldest generations are also finding their way on to the Internet).
• 98% of teens use the Internet for school assignments. 48% does so on daily basis.
• Youngsters are more likely to share content, remix and blog then adults.
• The gap of cell phone ownership between parents (90%) and teens (75%) narrows!
• 35% of youngsters own a smart phone.
• Teens still use their cell phone most of the time to text message (or take pictures)
• AnyTime, Any Where and Any Place is the new ecosystem of teens.
• 82% of 14-17 year olds are active on a social network system.

And this is only 2009….wonder what 2011 brings!

Social collaboration as the #future of work

Statistics…you can prove everything with them!
I read a study recently on how Twitter users are more creative during work hours, because they can connect (freely).  Today I see an article in a job magazine (jobat - in Dutch) claiming a Facebook in the office costs 7560 EUR ($ 10375)/employe….because of down time when the employee is’n working but distracted by Facebook (f.i.)! And then I get a little bit angry….because this (research) article just keeps on thinking in a non connected labour market…so 80-ies!

First up, what’s the problem according to this study: I can’t get my work done! How Collaboration & Social Tools Drain Productivity.
The research states that working together and social media distract us from doing are job. We’re only capable of concentrating 15min….and then we need distraction! What psychologists call ‘online compulsive disorder’ apparently….
So do we see any solutions or recommendations in this research on how to deal with this….I did’nt find any….

Let’s take a look at the bigger picture.
Yes we are more distracted then we used to be,
Yes we have an information overload,
Yes we have a problem not feeling connected…

We’re in a connected networking society, and it’s not going to get better once our digital natives are entering the work scene! They’re all about connection and social networks….they live through it!
In my opinion this means we need to change our working paradigm: “Work doesn’t happen at work anymore”
You live your work. This means we cannot think in way to organize work around a central workplace (and even worse between 9 and 5). In the 21st century you get the job done every where, when and how thanks to our connected society…Do we need to work 24/7? Hell, no but we are capable of organising certain tasks/work ourselves (at this office, at home, in the car, in  a bar, ….) This is possible thanks to an online collaboration where people share ideas, work, solutions online and help each other.
F.i. if I have a problem, I’m better off in a connected world then in my office (where I might connect to my co-workers). In this connected world i can reach out to a couple of thousand people who can help me find a solution. Am I distracted? Yes probably I will….updating my profile, looking at what other profiles or news….but do I get the job done? Yes….if you don’t tie me to my desk at work!

 

Off course for young people, digital natives this is natural, for baby boomers and generation X this is not natural. They have fought for private time and working time, they didn’t grow up connected, …. this is one big frightening idea of being online 24/7 collaborating and sharing ideas…
But take my advice: youngsters who are consumers and employees of tomorrow are connected 24/7 and collaboration is there middle name. If we aren’t ready for them, this is going to be one big clash!

Next us is mobile….and this is even worse than digital connection….this is 24/7 connection in your hand!
We need to train our workers and employees to keep track of these new evolutions!
Is your company ready?

[I would like to add that we cannot organise all work to be done this way, but a lot can and needs to be rethought into an online collaborative way.]

Online Presence vs Conversation

Building a business in the flat world….or better bringing your off-line business in the online world.

I’ve heard a couple of entrepreneurs the last few weeks talking about the flat world and business. A few quotes to get started:

• I don’t need a website or any online thing. My business runs itself, and word of mouth is great and my agenda is full until the end of this year!
• Is it OK for my accountant bureau to send a digital newsletter?…What do I have to say that might be of any interest?
• My son made me a Facebook profile, but nothing happened regarding my business.
• …

And there is more….but let’s get to the point.

• I love all statistics regarding online businesses,
• I love the infographs telling social media rise B2B-markets,
• I love information and cases which show online really helps businesses, …
• I’m a true believer

BUT we need more people to convince those entrepreneurs that being online is a start, but conversation is better!
We know that in the near future everybody is going to have flat world access, mobile or not, and that the digital natives are the new customers entering the playing field of consumption and work. Online presence is therefore just a start…but it’s not enough. Digital natives, the new geeks, collaborate and work peer-to-peer more than ever before by using the in-demand and in-control flat world technology.

What does this mean for the few quoted businesses?

• Not being online just isn’t an option. You don’t have to build a company website, but it can be useful if you want to reach out and get your business under the attention of the digital natives. (Make shure its mobile proof!)
• Yes, an accounting office can send a newsletter, mail isn’t out (yet, and there are other ways to distribute newsletters…). I truly believe that if you want an engaged relationship with your customers, an accountant must send out a newsletter. A reminder informing their customers about new legislation, deadlines for taxes, … This small action builds a trusted relationship between the 2 parties and is base for future conversation!
• Don’t do social media if you can’t work them! Yes use social media, as a strong tool to interact and make a conversation with your customers and stakeholders, BUT don’t use it if you aren’t engaged and enchanted by social media yourself. (And no I don’t believe those people who tell you social media only takes 10 minutes a day….this is not true!)

Work needs to be done to get (small and medium-sized) entrepreneurs  into the flat world, convincing them that this is not the enemy just an evolution (but one they don’t want to miss!).

Social media multitasker

Who says only women can multitask? All active social media users, the digital natives, are real multitaskers!

Off course, it all about changing habits  of modern society through our intensive use of social media…driving a car  while talking to your co-worker on the phone (hands-free off course), or cooking diner while texting a message to your husband or answering mails, making appointments while you’re in a meeting, …. The new ways of communicating through the flat world technology has made it a lot easier to communicate all the time, and therefore multitask all the time. Who isn’t watching his Twitter, Facebook profile, email, … al day long?

Apparently this is called ‘infomania’ by classic thinkers….we call it multitasking! Apparently scientific research has proven multitasking to be less productive and most certainly less profound. Off course modern society, and its digital natives, never knew something else….they always have been connected and interactive…texting, mailing, updating their profile, tweeting, … I just don’t think we can turn back time, and stop this evolution. We will adapt, like we always do!

About the infomania….easy question? Who doesn’t want to be informed?
Problem is the exponential information growth which is attacking us. We have to teach and learn ourselves to deal with this mass information flow.
Mails, tweets, information is piling up, while you’re off-line (in a meeting f.i.), so multitasking is the only way out. At least if you don’t want to drown in the information tsunami.

Most of your partners, co-workers, friends, family, … want you to be up to date and answer them at short notice to the point!
This is evolution….just look at your own pattern of communication/media use 10 years ago – if you’re not a digital native off course.  Following infograph shows how we have changed, and how this affects our brain!

I would like you to comment on the consequences shown in this infograph….and participate in this poll!

Flat Learning & Educating

Flat business, Flat Lifestyle, Flat….I don’t know what…but we can’t deny it anymore the world is getting more digital, more connected, more mobile….and is serving more individual needs. We can’t chance this! It’s happening, it’s not a fad.

Business is searching for new (business) models to serve this mobile and connected customer, the social individualist….we serves his personal needs but loves being connected socially. The digital natives are gaining on influence, but I don’t see an educational shift….yet! Off course we have to rethink education as well, … only yesterday I read that 80% of the 5 year olds are connected to the flat world….If we don’t rethink our educational methods, we will lose valuable assets because they won’t be engaged nor enchanted!

We need to challenge them….we need to engage them….we need to get them enchanted about our education, about our topics, about our content. Content still matters, YES it does! But there is more than only content….there is attitude, talent and competence management. All those factors need to be part of a new educational system measured to the need of the flat society.  We need to incorporate social learing skills into our day-to-day education, we have to allow students to take up responsibility for their education and learning (which students aren’t willing to do at first….but they will benefit from it later!), we have to engage them….learn together with them, since content is easily accessible and even the teacher can’t know everything.  The teacher is the coach, the guide to help students find their way in this content, keep them engaged….and most certainly confronts the students with his attitude, talent and competences!

I found a great presentation on the future of education from the university of Plymouth, were my insights on  future education are mostly shared.

I’ll post more on flat world educating in the flat world section (soon – just wait a few more days please!). 



(image from futuristspeaker)