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

2. Topics
What?
So what?
Now what?
@lizguthridge

3. 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….

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

5. 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

6. 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”

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

8. 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

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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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.

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

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

16. 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

17. Social networks

18. 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

19. Collaboration technology

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Now what?
Poll: Round #3 ?
Your actions

24. 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

25. 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.

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

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

28. What’s next? Stay in touch
7 mistakes
leaders make when introducing change

29. Questions and answers ? ? ? ? ?