European Sojourn

Just getting to the end of my European Sojourn. The Conference in Milan on Enterprise 2.0 was a huge success .... over-subscribed with over 500 attendees. Not bad for a recession. Even better the talks are all on-line here http://enterprise2forum.it/cms/pages/home-en-2009/agenda.php .... though for some talks you need to understand Italian.... but not mine :)

Just came back from an SNA/ONA project workshop with a progressive UK council who want to change the way public programs are delivered from the current "project office" approach which is not working well, toward a more peer to peer partnership model. Challenging but will be game changing if we pull it off.

A brief break in Morocco reminded me as to how powerful the human network can be, especially when the participants are as strongly motivated to sell you something as these enthsiastic Africans. The speed with which your needs are communicated to the "partner/relative" at the next corner is mind boggling. Made me think about the ubiquitous call centre. Even the best technology in the hands of unmotivated staff will still result in a lousy service. Just think how powerful a third world country would be if they had the same technology matched with their exceptional enthusuiasm to serve/sell.