Member Article

Web 2.0: An Introduction

With Justin Souter of Souter Consulting

Kipling’s Six Honest Serving Men is a famous phrase listing the main interrogative words. It comes from four lines of poetry by Rudyard Kipling:

I keep six honest serving-men

(They taught me all I knew);

Their names are What and Why and When

And How and Where and Who

In talking with many people recently about their views about Web 2.0 and Social Media, I’ve generally found that they don’t have any.

Most organisations have a website, use email, maybe text messaging and certainly mobile phones.

If there is awareness of social media, I have found apprehension about a daunting and unfamiliar area which, for many, seems difficult to comprehend, let alone interact with.

What organisations don’t seem to be thinking about is that the same people who interact for pleasure on Facebook and MySpace, are alsotalking online about brands and the performance of both Public and Private Sector organisations.

This series of short articles in the bdaily is therefore intended to help readers get their heads round an area which could provide vital assistance, during times when things are pretty tough and budgets are being cut.

As we shall see, what’s happening ‘out there’ can also stop people buying your products and using your services – so it’s best to get on the front foot and deal with any issues, rather than hoping they will go away.

I am aiming to answer Kipling’s questions regarding Web 2.0 in enough detail for you to start thinking about the practical steps you can take, as a way of entering this world in a controlled and pragmatic manner.

Please note these articles are not exhaustive, there is not a ‘correct’ way to play in this area, and there aren’t any guarantees for success [I think you’ve covered your back well enough there! - Ed.].

We’ll get into the first topic - ‘What’ - next week. Until then, to find out more about how I can help you, please check this out, and use this to get in touch.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Supreme Ice Cream .