 |
|
Introduction Welcome to our current newsletter. In this issue we ’ll discuss how some of the new networking sites can help us within our organizations. Until recently I viewed these sites as a place some people go for socializing but of little value to those of us in business. I think I’m about to change my mind. Last week I was trying to decide between several portable digital audio recorders. There were lots of reviews online covering my options but some of the best material was found on YouTube. The video-based dialog between actual users of the machines helped me make the right choice. Rivertown is also piloting a site for one of our clients that will provide an online meeting place and resource for people affected by vision or hearing disabilities. Although still in the early development phase, it has already generated a lot of interest. We’ll keep you posted on how this site works out. I think we all know that often the best decisions are made when we have lots of input. The networking sites are one way to get this. Thanks for your time! Compass Plus Rivertown Communications, in partnership with Resource Connections, has developed an online dual-scale survey tool that we call Compass Plus ®. This customizable tool can be used for employee evaluations, needs analysis prior to designing training programs, evaluation of training effectiveness, customer satisfaction surveys etc. I’m happy to report that we were just awarded the trademark for the name Compass Plus ®. This is our first trademark award. Now that we have the trademark, we’ll be actively promoting this tool. The custom information that Compass Plus ® can capture is something that can benefit every company. For more information about Compass Plus ® go to: http://www.surveyflash.com/. The Business of Web 2.0 Web 2.0 has become an increasingly common buzzword since 2004, but few understand what exactly Web 2.0 refers to and how it relates to our organizations. The Wikipedia definition is only marginally informative: "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the Internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform." This barely scratches the surface of what Web 2.0 can be and, more importantly, doesn't provide many clues as to its real purpose. If we are to define Web 2.0, we must first consider what was Web 1.0. Web 1.0 was about pushing content out to the Internet for anyone to view. We designed web pages, we filled them with our own content, and we put it online for all the world to see. The definition above says that Web 2.0 is about using the Internet as a platform. More than that, it's about using that platform for a specific goal. Web 2.0 is about sharing content. It makes content a two-way operation. Now, we design web pages, put up a small amount of our own content, and invite others to provide their own content related to the topic of the page. We can then respond to the incoming information, and the cycle repeated, creating a dynamic loop of communication directly with our customers. What does this mean for business then? How can we make use of it? Is it worth it? The answers to those questions depend on you. If Web 2.0 is about any single thing, it's the people that use it. That means that you must find how it can be used to meet your goals. Too many companies have set up Facebook accounts, MySpace pages, and Second Life scenarios for legitimate business uses, only to see little to no benefit. The key is that you must have a goal in mind beforehand and determine which, if any, Web 2.0 technologies can help you meet that goal. At Rivertown, we are exploring which Web 2.0 technologies can help us provide better learning scenarios for our clients. We understand that it's not enough to simply create a site for a community and invite them to come post messages. There has to be a defined goal for the site. Robb stated a goal for one such site in his introductory paragraph: "provide an online meeting place and resource for people affected by vision or hearing disabilities." This mission statement defines everything we do with the site and ensures that visitors to the site will have a clear understanding of its purpose. Visitors will know what to expect from the site and can provide their own content that matches that. That's only one use of Web 2.0. New websites are popping up every few weeks, each offering a unique set of tools. Now, a group working on a project could use Twitter for quick communication that the entire team can see and respond to when they see fit. Employees can post blogs on an internal web server which can be seen and commented on by fellow employees, allowing greater sharing of information across departments and improving the overall morale of a team. I almost wrote here that "the possibilities are endless." Besides being an overused cliche, I think it's important that we not think of Web 2.0 as some infinite answer to all our problems. It is up to us to determine how these technologies can meet our needs. Instead of using the cliche, I'll simple say that the possibilities have yet to be determined. About Rivertown Since 1991 Rivertown Communications, Inc. has been designing and developing custom e-learning systems and websites. Our clients range in size from small, single office organizations to global corporations. For more information on our services, click below: E-learning systems Custom design and development, including learning management systems Compass Plus™ Online survey tool to get the data you need Video production To integrate into e-learning or stream from the web Websites Learning sites - accessible and Section 508 compliant I-Card™ business-card CDs To deliver training or educational marketing messages If you are currently in the planning stages of a technology-based training or marketing program, call us. We would be glad to meet with you to explore how we might partner with you to help develop your program. Initial meetings are always without cost or obligation and we genuinely enjoy getting to know new people and organizations. Rivertown Communications - 651.430.0353 - Stillwater, Minnesota |
Rivertown Communications For more e-Learning updates, check out the Rivertown Podcast! |