The Risks & Opportunities of Web 2.0

Dave BriggsChange Manager

Dave Briggs

• Change Manager at the information authority

• Previously Risk Manager at Shropshire County Council

Dave Briggs

Blogger

Facilitator

VolunteerHacker

the information authority

• Independent body setting data standards for FE

• Key values: openness, transparency, collaborative

• Vehicle for data changes will be community web portal

• Anyone in FE welcome to use the portal

How will this fit into our communities?

Blogs

Photosharing

DiscussionForums

Wikis

Video Documents

Socialnetwork

What is social media and web 2.0?

What is social media and web 2.0?

What is social media and web 2.0?

What is social media and web 2.0?

Where are the risks?

Risks if you do

1. Loss of information

Using social media sites for collaboration involves storing significant amounts of data online on third party servers. Should something go wrong, data could be lost. Also danger of hacking.

Mitigation?Opportunities?

1. Loss of information

1. Loss of information

2. Release of confidential information

Information sharing through social media could result in sensitive or confidential information being made public. Could result in loss of reputation for organisation or even financial loss if it affects a specific project or contract, for example.

Mitigation?Opportunities?

3. Disreputable behaviour

Whether acting as an employee, or student, or on private time, if an individual’s actions are in anyway improper and can be linked back to the organisation, reputational damage is bound to ensue.

Mitigation?Opportunities?

4. Public negative comments

By opening up communication channels and allowing public comments and feedback, whether through a blog, forum or online media, there is a risk that negative comments will be given a high profile, and could be picked up by the mainstream media.

Mitigation?Opportunities?

5. Accessibility

Not everyone has an internet connection, or if they have, one that is sufficiently fast to enable the streaming of video from YouTube, say. Also, browser technology might be an issue, as well as availability of technology such as javascript or flash. Also accessibility issues are relevant.

Mitigation?Opportunities?

6. Lack of Engagement

No one is viewing or commenting on content, conversations are one way. For whatever reason, the social media initiative just doesn’t take off.

Mitigation?Opportunities?

Where are the risks?

Risks if you don’tor

Missed opportunities

1. Loss of control

The conversation will happen – but not somewhere that you control. Far greater potential for damage.

or

If you don’t do it, someone else will.

2. Loss of reputation

The opportunity to have a reputation for being an organisation willing to embrace new technology will be lost.

3. Reducing student numbers?

Students will grow to expect use of social web tools in education, in work etc, and will ignore those organisations that don’t embrace it.

4. Development costs

Not using pre-existing social web tools might mean investment in IT infrastructure and unnecessary development costs.

Summary

• There are risks in using Web 2.0, as in any other innovative change to working

• Key is to fully engage, ensure some control over your destiny

• Role of facilitation and self-moderation• Don’t miss this opportunity!

How not to do it!

Or indeed...

Questions / Contact Me

Any questions?

dave.briggs@theia.org.ukwww.theia.org.ukwww.davepress.netwww.lgsearch.netwww.slideshare.net/davebriggs