Those Who Talk vs. Those Who Do

Sorry, I need to get something off my chest. 

And I may alienate a portion of the community in doing so. 

But -- well -- something needs to be said.

There Are A Lot Of Experts Out There

Like any hot topic, there are many people out there offering expertise on the whole 2.0 thing: social media, social networking, social computing, whatever.

And, occasionally, I go surfing the chatter-sphere to see what people are talking about.  Like most surfing, you find a few bits are interesting, with a whole lotta "meh".

I do appreciate those brave souls who have hung out their consulting shingle and tried to make a living on helping companies make the transition.

I think that those of you who follow this blog and this journey realize we've rolled up our sleeves, and made an amazing amount of progress in a very short time -- due to a combination of some very talented and passionate people, and a corporate culture that can evolve much faster than most people realize.

But -- really --  to take our approach to task and say "we don't get it" or "we're missing it" or "what we really don't understand" or "we did it all wrong" and otherwise lambaste us for what we're doing? 

I would favorably compare our practical organizational knowledge and methodologies on what we've learned to many of the "experts" out there -- especially those who haven't had the privilege of actually doing this sort of corporate transformation on a large scale over a sustained period of time.

We live in the real world.  And all the theory and research and opinion doesn't mean much unless you figure out a way to apply it to a real-world company with real-world challenges.

I have been very open and transparent about our journey and experiences here.  Warts and all.  My hope is that I can inspire and help others who are on a similar journey.  Understand our thinking, learn from our successes and failures -- and get to where you're going faster and with less stress.

But, in doing so, I'm finding that -- as is often true in public forums -- I've created a convenient target for people who want to take their shots for whatever reason.  There's not many of them, but I think it's a problem that I want to nip in the bud.

I understand that a key part of securing consulting business is pointing out shortcomings in what your prospective client is doing -- that much I get.  And, trust me, I am quite aware of several areas where we could be faster/better in all of this.

But, in the act of sharing negativity, you're dissuading others from starting and sharing their journeys as well.  I see it corroding and polluting the collective commons. 

We all want to live in a world where e2.0 is the norm, and not the exception.

So, let's be positive out there, shall we? 

And, if you insist on being negative, pray that you don't end up on an industry panel that includes me as a guest speaker.

Comments

[Trevor Speirs]

Amen, Chuck!

I have used the experiences detailed in this blog as a cornerstone of my arguments for a collaboration strategy in my large company and cautions against premature assumptions made by senior executives about how a rollout would look like.

In the trenches with all of the culture, politics, and personalities, you quickly realize that there will never be a perfect roll out, but you should strive to hit some key fundamentals. If you do that (like you have done), you will take more steps forward than back.

IMO, this is the best resource anywhere on implementing a enterprise collaboration strategy in a large enterprise.

Keep up the great work.

[Chuck Hollis]

Hi Trevor

Thanks for your kind words, and it's nice to know that some of what's written here is actually helping other people!

-- chuck

[John Furrier]

Great post Chuck. I've been part of social media both pioneering and practicing and I can say that failure is progress. I've had many success in developing new innovative social media platforms and programs and could point out many who are fumbling. I don't point them out publically because they are winning by doing. Being on the 'field' and doing is the way to go especially as this sectors get norms and standards. The best practices will come by those doing.

As in life success comes from failing.

I am extremely well versed in the art and science of social media. Still there really isn't any experts yet. I don't sell my expertise. Instead I just use it to develop and innovate new approaches. There are many who peddle their so called expertise and pass that off as being an expert.

Many are swimming naked and as the tide goes out (the recession) the naked will be revealed.

btw: I do consulting, but only with companies that I select ones that want 'real world' deliverables and ROI not some check off item on a powerpoint to management. Plus I'm building another startup as well. No talk just walk.

Congrats on your transformation. Keep sharing your progress.

[Iain Colledge]

Just wanted to say that as we're looking at Web 2.0 within the company I work for that this blog has proved invaluable. Can't really thank you enough for sharing with us your experiences.

Please keep the blog going as you're showing the problems faced and changes that affect bringing Web 2.0 to a large and more importantly real company.

[Don Vanpool]

Could not agree more, Rosemary. I think A)How all of this will ultimately work is a moving target and B)Experience is the best teacher. Keep blogging.

Don

[Peter Fleckenstein]

Hi Chuck,

SPOT ON! I have to say that I was in the mgmt and technology consultant arenas and whole heartily agree with you - those businesses facilitated a "this is your problem" mentality vs. "how can I help you" one.

I would regularly get in trouble for telling a client that either "hey your doing a great job, here's a little feedback but you really don't need us" or worse yet tell my clients or potential clients - you don't really need our services at this time. Believe me when I tell you certain bosses of mine were upset when I did that.

I stuck to my guns a lot and invariably - the clients or potential clients saw that my main goal was NOT trying to get billable hours. I was actually trying to add value. Those clients gave me more business than if I had told them - "Here's your problem".

I got tired of battling the value "thing" with my bosses. I left and recently started my own company to build a value destination site for a large demographic that's been underserved. I'm a new client with Jive. I'm using Clearspace for the site, which is completely different than what most companies use Clearspace Community for.

Your complete openess and sharing of your experience has provided enormous value to me and I hope someday to give that back.

Thank you and keep on blogging!!!

Peter

[Rachel Happe]

Enjoyed this post, as always, Chuck.

Enterprise community initiatives - and the change management required to do accomplish it - is a really complex process. The nature of social media and any organizational change management means that progress will be made in fits and starts because it is about changing people's behavior and their expectations.

And, Chuck - being transparent enough to share that struggle is immensely useful because it makes us all understand that this is progress that comes in a series of small successes and sometimes moments of true breakthrough...and sometimes setbacks. And it is not really about using the shiniest new toy that is out there.

Keep up the good work and continue to fight the good fight!