Since having started working on the MIKE2.0, I had to rethink the way I personally participate in the Enterprise 2.0 world. I have been publishing a personal web site for quite some time and have been using instant messaging and profession networking software. But I have en large ignored the new breed of Web 2.0 technologies. As they are seeping into our professional lives, one has to adapt his work practices in order to keep up. Don’t stay stuck in the age of email and voicemail. Here is my list of things you need in order to upgrade yourself to the age of Enterprise 2.0:
- A new life starts with a new browser. And none is cooler than Firefox. With all the add-ons available, it’s arguably the best browser out there!
- Immerse yourself in the world of Google:
- Get rid of your Hotmail account and sign up for Gmail.
- While you are at it, download Google Talk. Everyone of your colleagues and friends who uses Gmail will automatically be available for chat and free phone calls.
- Free the hidden gems on your hard drive and download Google Desktop.
- Get your pictures sorted with Picasa and Picasaweb.
- And because one also wants to make VOIP calls to regular phones, sign up for Skype.
- You also need to get your bookmarks sorted. Why not put them online so that you can access them from wherever you need? Check out Del.icio.us or Digg.
- Build your professional community with LinkedIn.
- Blur the line between personal and professional friends on Facebook. Don’t get scared by the plain front page. Once you are in, there are 25 million people waiting to ‘get back in touch with you’.
- Extend your shelf life by getting your own avatar and diving into your Second Life.
- Get serious about sharing your knowledge and experience on your corporate Wiki. Ask around, chances are that someone in your organisation will have already put up a Wiki somewhere and that a whole bunch of people are already wiki-ing away…
- Pick a topic where you have professional expertise and which you are passionate about and start a blog (Typepad, Blogger, Wordpress or Livejournal)
So what’s all of this about? This is about getting yourself sorted out. Call it your personal brand. You are worth it!
If the above list isn’t exhaustive enough for you, then check out Todd Stephens’ “15 Ways to Professionally Brand You” for more ideas.
August 19th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
It looks like I am fully Enterprise/Web 2.0 – compliant by having done all the above!!! (and surprisingly, have also ditched all the abovementioned…my hotmail is there merely to collect spams now)