NET-GEN NETWORKS: HOW
TO LEVERAGE OUTSIDE
INNOVATION INTERNALLY
Steve Ressler, October 14, 2008
Big Idea
New Type of Collaboration Emerging Outside
Enterprise
Net-Gen + Web 2.0 = Informal Networks
Collaboration Across Agencies, Subject Area, and
Nation State
New Challenges and Opportunities
[Link]
Employee Networks – Then and Now
Employee Networks Employee Networks
(then) (now)
Incremental growth Exponential viral growth
Slow deployment Rapid deployment
Physical Meetings Online communities, physical
meetings
Leaflets, paper flyers Blogs, E-newsletters, Websites
Local World-wide
Hierarchy Horizontal (peer to peer)
Word Documents Wikis, Collaboration Sites,
Knowledge Repositories
Hypothesis
Networked Government Emerging
Will Only Continue to Grow
Challenges and opportunities
Vital source of engagement and innovation
Potential security risks
Adopt best practices
Identify internal talent, recruit talent
Types of Informal Networks
Public
Service
Public
Academy
Service TSP
Academy Talk Gov IT
YGL GovLeaders
Wiki
13L
GovLeaders
13L
Net Gen Individual
LEAD
YPRO
Networks Blogs
Individual
LEAD Blogs
Company
YPRO MySpace
Facebook
Command
Company MySpace
Command
Professional Development Groups
U.S. Public Service Academy
Online Resources and Forums
[Link]
TSP Talk
Social Networks and Blogs
Gov’t Blogs
UK Civil Serf
Just A Govy
Faceless Bureaucrat
Open NASA
GovLoop Blogs
CG Blog (Unofficial Coast Guard Blog)
Generation Shift
MPA 4 Hire
Municipalist
How are They Being Used?
Create Community
Share Best Practices
Career Opportunities
Best Practice Examples
Firefighting Techniques
Leadership and Management Advice
Leverage Agency’s IT Communications Strategy
Leveraged a Quality Assurance Plan
Peer-to-Peer Advice from Company Commanders
Dealing with FOIA and Social Media
Share Best Practices
Why Are They Being Developed?
Need for Speed
Unwritten Rules
Search for Authenticity
Innovation Incubator
Need for Speed
“We are here. We are educated. We are ready to
get going.” – LEAD Co-Chair Kevin Brumback
Unwritten Rules
“YGL Members want to learn about the unwritten
rules about the workplace and there is nobody
better prepared than people in their own situation.”
-YGL President Kate Walker
Innovation Incubator
“Informal Networks provide a canvas to work on
and an outlet to express ideas that may not exist in
the formal bureaucracy.”
- Senior Fellows and Friends Founder Kitty Wooley
What You Can Do?
Penalize It
Leverage by Institutionalizing It
Leverage in Advisory Role
Penalize It
Why Would You Shut It Down?
National Security
Privacy
Ethical Concerns
Leverage by Institutionalizing It
When to Institutionalize?
Leadership Needed
Resources Desired
IT Security Issues
Legitimacy Concerns
Tips for Institutionalizing
Give Founders Key Roles
Communicate Clearly and Transparent
Make it Genuine
Company Command
Leverage In Advisory Role
Make Roles and Responsibilities Clear
Maintain Independence
Leverage as Communication Channel
Unleash Innovation
PMF-Central
OPM - FAIC
Tapping Internal and External Talent
Spotting High Value Talent
Renewing Your Agency Brand
Leveraging Your Alumni
Your Best Recruiting Vehicle?
Key Challenges
Creating a Supportive Culture
Overcoming Generational Divides
Providing Access to the Right Tools
Protecting Privacy and Security
5 Recommendations
Get Smart
Encourage Innovation
Leverage Informal Networks as Advisory
Resources
Institutionalize Informally
Provide Another Option
Questions?
Steve Ressler
Co-Founder, Young Government Leaders
Founder, [Link]
Email – sressler@[Link]
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