For the past year, I've really enjoyed microblogging inside the firewall. Novel concept, huh? While many people may microblog outside of the firewall using Twitter and Facebook's status updates, I really like doing it inside the firewall.
Let me quickly define microblogging, or better yet, offer Wikipedia's current definition:
Microblogging is a passive broadcast medium in the form of blogging. A microblog differs from a traditional blog in that its content is typically much smaller, in both actual size and aggregate file size. A microblog entry could consist of nothing but a short sentence fragment, an image or embedded video.
Twitter does microblogging very well. In fact, I would say it's all it does. Facebook also allows for some sort of microblogging through its status update feature where users can share what they are doing, and get responses from their friends.
If you have used any of these systems, you probably have seen a bit part of its value: instantly reaching out to your network and getting recommendations for everything from nannies, barbershops, restaurants, wines, parks, schools, things to do with your children, etc.
Now take that power and apply it to the business. Imagine if you could instantly get your answer to any question you have in order to get your job done. That's what happened to me yesterday. I was collaborating with a customer and was asked who manages Lotus Connections on ibm.com. I didn't know so I reached out:
That's right! ONE MINUTE to get my answer! An answer that I didn't have an idea who had or where even to begin looking for it. One minute was all it took. And not only did I get an answer from a colleague, I got an answer form an IBM VP. A Vice President who I've never worked with and had no idea she would know the answer! How long would this have taken me otherwise? Who knows! Maybe 1/2 day? A whole day? 2-3 days? Nope! ONE MINUTE.
You have to admit, that's pretty amazing!
I'm grateful that we have these tools available internally. Don't have microblogging yet inside your organization? What are you waiting for, start today!