Making the most of the Net:or wouldn’t it be great if...

Making the most of the Net:or wouldn’t it be great if...

David Wilcox

Partnerships Onlinedavid@partnerships.org.uk

http://www.partnerships.org.uk

Before we start… the Net isBefore we start… the Net is

Anything a computer can do - globally Email - one to one Email - many to many - lists Web - lots of linked pages Audio, video, commerce etc

… allowing both publishing, interaction.

So wouldn’t it be great if…..

Local communities had ….Local communities had ….

Useful information online Training and support for groups Discussion forums Easy access to officials, politicians Arts, history projects Interviews, music

Some do - see BBC Webguide for examples

Volorgs and groups had...Volorgs and groups had...

Headlines and stories for their field A special search engine to find useful sites Free Web space Discussion areas

They do nationally - see Communityweb

Networks had ...Networks had ...

Systems tailored to their needs Private discussion areas Easy Web publishing Updated information Helpline support

Some do. See Ruralnet and Can-online

So the Net can help develop...So the Net can help develop...

Three types of online community Local geographic communities Organisational communities Virtual communities of interests

But what about the reality?

All too often….All too often….

Only one computer connected in the office Senior staff are technophobes Web site out of date Other key contacts aren’t online Few in the community have access

….and so the Net seems irrelevant or divisive

Making the Net work in organisationsMaking the Net work in organisations Top level commitment and use of the Net Multiple ‘whys’ Desktop connections Email, Web, management Upgrades Training and support Changes in culture

Creating local online communitiesCreating local online communities A strong champion Understanding of local needs Understanding of technical options Technical capability Partnerships building Training and support

One method: Neighbourhoods Online game

What works generallyWhat works generally

One to one email and newsletters Email lists - for a purpose Web forums with a big audience Really useful Web sites, portals Mixing online, print, face to face Lots of facilitation and editing

What doesn’t work wellWhat doesn’t work well

Vanity web sites Web discussion forums for small audiences Decision-making online Putting ‘how’ before ‘why’ Expecting technology to solve human and

organisational problems

And what really makes a difference?And what really makes a difference?New tools + Greater reach + New

relationships +Fewer boundaries + Flatter

structures

= New ways of working

Which lets people out of their boxes…..!

david@partnerships.org.uk www.partnerships.org.uk 020 7600 0104