How do we create the tipping point for digital collaboration?

How do we create the tipping point for digital collaboration?

by | Nov 11, 2012 | NHS stuff | 4 comments

So how do we create the tipping point for digital collaboration – in Leeds, or anywhere else for that matter? Participating in the recent digital festival, conference and then follow up discussions about the potential for a digital body in Leeds, I’m struck by how far we’ve come and where we might go next… More than just a hobby – social media is quickly shifting from hobby status to an essential part of the communications mix in many public sector organisations. However, it is by no means universal Finding the point – the conversation is moving on rapidly from ‘let’s get on Twitter ‘cos they are’ to ‘what’s the purpose and what are we trying to achieve?’ So what? – identifying a purpose inevitably lends itself to asking questions about how we measure whether we’ve achieved what we set out to do. We’re not even being properly held to account for the time and energy we are putting in to our digital presence; or fully understanding for ourselves if the time we’re investing is worthwhile. We need to work out which tools help us to assess our impact both quantitatively and qualitatively Dispersing the social – it’s not just about the corporate account any more. More individual services are developing their own social media presence. This raises all sorts of fascinating questions about central control versus local autonomy; consistency versus variety –there is a balance to be struck and we’ll work it out collectively as we go Digital identity – professional guidelines and other social media rules seem to appear on an almost daily basis and we’re thinking more...
10 social media lessons for corporates and activists #SMWsnog

10 social media lessons for corporates and activists #SMWsnog

by | Sep 30, 2012 | activism, NHS stuff | 3 comments

So what can corporates and activists learn from each other and how can they interact most effectively in social media spaces? That’s what @markoneinfour and I wanted to find out at our Snog Marry Avoid? workshop during Social Media Week in London  on 28 September 2012. To consider the question, we welcomed a mixed group of activists and corporates (and a few who fell into both camps) who engaged in a lively discussion and took part in a scenario which enabled us to tease out some of the issues. We particularly focused on the public sector, although many of the lessons may apply more broadly. My main learning point from the day is that activists and public institutions often want the same thing. But if they fail to develop reciprocal relationships then their standpoints about how to get there can easily become polarised.  This is amplified when acted out in social media spaces. So here are 10 social media lessons derived from our scenario where an activist group and public sector institution have a potential clash of interests online. Some points may have more resonance for one group over another, but we found that they generally applied to both: Clarity of purpose – be clear about what you want to achieve so you can employ the right tactics to help you get there. Sounds obvious but we found this was crucial in thinking strategically and avoiding getting stuck in a corner Act swiftly – respond to questions or concerns quickly, even if it is to say you’ll get some more information and update later. Letting comments hang around online...
What’s the best way to build social media capacity?

What’s the best way to build social media capacity?

by | Aug 29, 2012 | mental health, NHS stuff | 4 comments

What’s the best way of building capacity for people using and working in mental health services to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by social media?  And of course to be alert to the challenges and learn how to navigate them. There are, no doubt, many ways to do this and we’re having an experiment with a social media surgery and series of workshops in Leeds. You can find out more about the day here. Social media surgeries are an established concept and you may question why we didn’t just encourage people using and working in mental health services to participate in those.  There’s a fantastic one already up and running at The Round Foundry in Leeds. Surely that would be a more inclusive and sustainable approach? Well yes… but I’m intrigued by the idea of bringing people using and working in services together on equal terms as both experts and learners. Some of our social media surgeons and workshop facilitators bring lived experience of mental health difficulties. Some bring perspectives as workers in voluntary and statutory sector organisations. Some are volunteers and others are community journalists. We have some social media experts with little knowledge of mental health at all. We’re hoping this mix will create a co-productive space where we can share learning together and possibly develop a network of enthusiasts who will continue to connect over a mutual interest. We hope the mix of surgery space, workshops and open space for people to chat, will create opportunities for people to come together in ways which suit them. And of course we’ll be using lots of different methods...