Democratization of communication Maximizing the value of information

“ If HP knew what HP knows, we would be three times as profitable.” Lew Platt, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard

“ People are certainly valuable resources, and the information they hold is useful, but far more so if shared with others.” Graham Walter, “Information is Power”

“ The right information in the right place just changes your life.“ Stewart Brand at the first Hackers' Conference in 1984

! The information revolution is affecting competition in three vital ways… Michael E. Porter and Victor E. Millar "How Information Gives You Competitive Advantage"

It changes industry structure and, in so doing, alters the rules of competition. #1

It creates competitive advantage by giving companies new ways to outperform their rivals. #2

It spawns whole new businesses , often from within a company’s existing operations. #3

Information really is power.

Communication is about using of that power.

? So why don’t organisations take every chance they get to improve communcation and information sharing?

… instead of locking valuable information in a vault somewhere...

… reasoning that the information is ”safe” there.

Well, it is safe from being communicated .

Safe from being used .

Safe from generating value .

? It that really such a wise idea?

Well…no.

So why do they do it?

Because people are afraid of what will happen [to themselves and their positions] when others get access to the information they have access to.

Afraid of the distribution of power. [remember: information is power]

Haven’t we seen this before?

New innovations in communications have met resistance many times in human history.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachel_s/ Movable Type

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emdot/ The Typewriter

http://www.flickr.com/photos/storm_gal/ The Telephone

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matteo86photonature/ Radio

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darko_pevec/2302492866/sizes/o/ Television

And more recently…

THE INTERNET

Steps towards democratization of communication have always been seen as dangerous by those who are in power.

Still…

… it is key to maximize the value of information .

? What is your organization doing to maximize the value of its information?