Once, not toolong ago in the Enterprise people found themselves working ever so diligently and thought everything was just honky dory thank you very much. Yet they were completely oblivious to the terrible neglect theircreative souls were facing. They had forgotten how to imagine, they hadstopped practicing the power of insight and ideas were fast becomingstale. The ability to create without inhibition had been lost. Day andnight, they toiled over their business problems, trying to figure things out by themselves.

And then… information was given a name. Your name. Your face. Yourlikes and dislikes. People started using social media to share opinionand thoughts online. Previously suppressed ideas were openly expressedand socialized.  People began to find their unique voice once more.Authentic expression was embraced. The global drumbeat of new contentcreation was heard throughout the Enterprise as social networks wereformed.

Stories oflife, hope and tragedy were shared. People around the world werecompelled to take action and quickly formed online communities.Creative souls were stirred to think about the possibilities. Theybegan to imagine great things as ideas were shared from the inside out;as seemingly abstract concepts were externalized they were developedinto innovative solutions, alongside others who saw their potential.

The peoplehad found a way to connect and create, but most of all they now hadconfidence to express themselves and use their unique voice.

Image courtesy of Alice Bartlett

Social Computing has opened up new ways for people to solve problems, work with ideas and imagine great things. Have you given your team the opportunity to express themselves?

Jasmin Tragas aka Wonderwebby isa Managing Consultant at IBM working in the area of Knowledge, Collaborationand Learning Services, HCM, Australia.