Change through crowdsourcing: How to use peer-by-peer practices to transform organizations Liz Guthridge June 19, 2012

Topics What? So what? Now what? @lizguthridge

What’s going on?—My story First switching from Beth to Liz…. …then from reporting the news… to making the news…. …becoming an expert in parliamentary procedure… …and using it selectively….

What’s going on? Poll: Round #1 ? Personal work style

What’s going on?—Work trends Working (and playing) from anywhere More project-based work with more diverse teams Faster pace Increase in work quantity More global orientation

What’s going on? —Work trends Using “weapons of mass distraction” with trusted peers Demanding bite-sized information for our snack culture “Asking and engaging,” not “telling and selling”

What’s going on?—Convergence Advancements in neuroscience Cheaper computing through the clouds

What’s going on?—Scientific research Neuroscience research shows the brain: Is more emotional, less rational Tires quickly Hardwires everything, yet easy to rewire Seeks out novelty Is a connection machine

What’s going on? —VUCA world Constant change Volatile Uncertain Complex Ambiguous The U.S. Army War College, August 2001

Gathering great, workable ideas So what? Poll: Round #2 ? Gathering great, workable ideas

So what? A “new normal” FLIP Focus Listen Involve Personalize To support peer-by-peer

Maybe more analytics too So what? Value: Greater buy-in Aligned actions Change that sticks Benefits of peer-by-peer Bigger circle Better ideas More transparency More action-oriented Improved agility 1. Improve clarity Maybe more analytics too

So what? Peer-by-peer defined Crowdsourcing: Outsourcing a task to a group of employees Tapping into the wisdom of crowds: Aggregating information collected individually from groups of employees Smart-mob organizing: Bringing together a group of employees for a common business purpose, generally through technology Definitions adapted from James Surowiecki, Bob Johansen and Wikipedia. Johansen considers “smart-mob organizing” one of his top 10 new skills for leaders.

So what? 3 ways to use peer-by-peer practices 1. Face-to-face meetings 2. Social networks 3. Collaboration technology

Face-to-face Many small groups by geography or large group Multiple stakeholders, possibly including external (Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space, World Cafe)

Benefits of face-to-face Well-suited for: Low-trust situations, especially if: Team members haven’t met each other in person or haven’t worked together Poor experiences with change to date Assuming strong facilitator to manage dynamics. Individuals who aren’t comfortable with technology Leaders want to be visible and active Organizations that have time and money for travel

Social networks

Benefits of social networks Well-suited for: Taking advantage of existing social networks that employees already use Reaching employees in diverse geographies Tapping into the wisdom of the group by gathering ideas and testing concepts Being transparent especially with analytics Using as an electronic alternative to traditional brainstorming

Collaboration technology http://www.powernoodle.com

Benefits of collaboration technology Well-suited for: Making fast, well-informed decisions in organizations that value speed, technology and involvement Hearing diverse voices, especially the quiet ones Involving participants in a range of activities: ideas, rating, setting priorities and creating action plans Cultivating champions who then ask and engage others in ongoing sessions

So what? Implications for change agents Leaders engage & show passion Frequent iterations based on data Good ideas come from everywhere; nobodies are now somebodies Wael Ghonim, Google

Red Booths by John Register, Modernism Gallery So what? Implications for change agents Changing role: Be more, do less Red Booths by John Register, Modernism Gallery Facilitator Coach Educator

Now what? Poll: Round #3 ? Your actions

Now what? Must haves: Tight focus and outcomes Stated objectives that align with business goals Metrics Concept of “tight —loose— tight” Choice of appropriate peer-to-peer approach Commitment to use input from employees

No excuse to stay in tar pits. Now what? Focus Plans (organizing & implementation) Actions Execution Follow-through Discipline Technology (possibly) Facilitation Resources Lack technology? No excuse to stay in tar pits.

! Now what? Be careful of unintended consequences: Suffering from SOS Overcomplicating Forgetting about power of the environment !

What’s next? Are you ready? Increased activism More personalization More mobility

What’s next? Stay in touch 7 mistakes leaders make when introducing change http://connectconsultinggroup.com

Questions and answers ? ? ? ? ?