Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Web’s Effects on Our Working Culture
byA recent Social Computing Magazine story has some interesting perspectives on how the emerging online world affects the norms, philosophies and priorities of our working culture. Six shifts are outlined.
From corporate to individual: Individuals have been empowered to raise their voices, collaborate and connect.
From marketing spin to authenticity: Corporate jargon is out; honesty and candor is in.
From defined to emergent: Collaboration and experimentation almost always generate better results.
From money to attention: If you first gain the attention of an audience, the dollars and profits will follow.
From proprietary to open: Grassroots efforts – whether in software, marketing , social networking or other areas – continually surface to spark ideas and conversation.
From software to webware: Browser-based applications create opportunities for entrepreneurs – and new options for individuals.
The story’s opening paragraph makes an important distinction: the trends mostly complement – and enhance – our current working culture. The “old ways” clearly still exist.
These transitions are especially apparent as you review Time’s new list of the year’s 50 best web sites. The presence of entire categories for Social Networks and Web Services highlights the continuous growth and discoveries – and the broader cultural shifts taking place.
