Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom

"e;If you want to understand why Wikipedia is changing the world, this book is a must read."e; Jimmy Wales, Founder, Wikipedia "e;This book is a must read for all - social activists, politicians or managers - who have an interest in understanding how our society is morphing."e; Professor C.K. Prahalad, #1 Management Guru and author of Competing for the Future Synopsis The rise of social networks like Facebook, MySpace and Bebo is changing the way we see ourselves, how we interact with each other, how we work and how we do business on a daily basis. Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom explores the powerful forces driving the social networking revolution, the impact of these profound changes, and the far reaching consequences of social networking. Detailing the way social networks affects both individuals and societies as a whole, the book offers a detailed focus on the ways social networking affects the world of business and work. The generation entering the workforce today - and entering boardrooms everywhere - is fully engaged with social networking and its uses. Rather than feeling threatened and paranoid, today's business leaders need to understand this phenomenon, accept that it won't go away, and embrace its power in the world of business. Excerpts from Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom: "e;Your next CEO s most impressive job credential might be status as an online gladiator, honing valuable leadership skills mercilessly slaying mortal enemies on World of Warcraft. Why not, the skills necessary to hack your way to the top levels of virtual games especially a killer instinct are excellent pre-requisites for managing complex organisations."e; "e;Many senior managers mistakenly believe Enterprise 2.0 is a product, like the latest Microsoft office suite. They don t realise that Enterprise 2.0 is not a cost centre, but a state of mind a revolutionary new way of managing companies and conducting business. Web 2.0 tools have no regard for organisational boundaries, hierarchies, or job titles . Try telling a senior executive that, henceforth, there will be no job titles, reporting lines, and organisational boundaries in the company and watch the reaction closely."e; "e;When someone calls a meeting, he or she is asserting authority over those who are invited to attend. Meetings are exclusive and closed. In most corporations, who gets invited to a meeting and who does not sends a signal about who s in the loop . Meetings are a form of social grooming inside organisations. Meetings impose vertical authority. They establish status hierarchies. The Enterprise 2.0 model is feared in corporations because it threatens status hierarchies."e; "e;Harnessing the dynamism of horizontal networks, Web 2.0 social media are bypassing institutional forms of social organisation and directly empowering people. This book has attempted to tell that story with illustrations, which, we hope, have offered intriguing and instructive insights into the powerful transformations we described. What has interested us most, indeed, is the transformative impact or e-ruptions of Web 2.0 social media on the three dynamics that gave this book its structure: identity, status and power."e;

"If you want to understand why Wikipedia is changing the worldthis book is a must read."Jimmy Wales, Founder, Wikipedia"This book is a must read for all - social activistspoliticians or managers - who have an interest in understanding howour society is morphing."Professor C.K. Prahalad, #1 Management Guru andauthor of Competing for the FutureSynopsisThe rise of social networks like Facebook, MySpace and Bebo ischanging the way we see ourselves, how we interact with each otherhow we work and how we do business on a daily basis. ThrowingSheep in the Boardroom explores the powerful forces driving thesocial networking revolution, the impact of these profound changesand the far reaching consequences of social networking.Detailing the way social networks affects both individuals andsocieties as a whole, the book offers a detailed focus on the wayssocial networking affects the world of business and work. Thegeneration entering the workforce today - and entering boardroomseverywhere - is fully engaged with social networking and itsuses. Rather than feeling threatened and paranoid, today's businessleaders need to understand this phenomenon, accept that it won't goaway, and embrace its power in the world of business.Excerpts from Throwing Sheep in theBoardroom:"Your next CEO's most impressive job credential might bestatus as an online gladiator, honing valuable leadership skillsmercilessly slaying mortal enemies on World of Warcraft. Why notthe skills necessary to hack your way to the top levels of virtualgames - especially a killer instinct - are excellentpre-requisites for managing complex organisations.""Many senior managers mistakenly believe Enterprise 2.0 is aproduct, like the latest Microsoft office suite. They don'trealise that Enterprise 2.0 is not a cost centre, but a"state of mind" - a revolutionary new way ofmanaging companies and conducting business.Web 2.0 tools have no regard for "organisationalboundaries, hierarchies, or job titles". Try telling a seniorexecutive that, henceforth, there will be no job titles, reportinglines, and organisational boundaries in the company - andwatch the reaction closely.""When someone calls a meeting, he or she is asserting authorityover those who are invited to attend. Meetings are exclusive andclosed. In most corporations, who gets invited to a meetingand who does not - sends a signal about who's 'inthe loop'. Meetings are a form of social grooming insideorganisations. Meetings impose vertical authority. They establishstatus hierarchies. The Enterprise 2.0 model is feared incorporations because it threatens status hierarchies.""Harnessing the dynamism of horizontal networks, Web 2.0 socialmedia are bypassing institutional forms of social organisation anddirectly empowering people. This book has attempted to tell thatstory with illustrations, which, we hope, have offered intriguingand instructive insights into the powerful transformations wedescribed. What has interested us most, indeed, is thetransformative impact - or "e-ruptions"of Web 2.0 social media on the three dynamics that gave this bookits structure: identity, status and power."

Foreword.Preface.Acknowledgements.Introduction: social networking e-ruptions - identitystatus, power.Part I IDENTITY.1 The I's have it: multiple selves in virtual worlds.2 The kindness of strangers: the ties that bind.3 It's a small world: exit, voice and loyalty.4 We Googled you: the privacy paradox.5 Virtual reality: Second Life and death.Part II STATUS.6 Social capital: monkeysphere to cyberspace.7 Me, MySpace and I: the fame game.8 Status hierarchies: loveable fools and competent jerks.9 Everyone's a critic: ratings and rankings.10 Blogs, bosses and brands: reputation management.Part III POWER.11 The anatomy of power: getting things done.12 Davids and Goliaths: the revenge of the amateur.13 Markets 2.0: why MyMusic calls the tune.14 Enterprise 2.0: wiki while you work.15 Democracy 2.0: friends in low places.Conclusion.Notes.Index.