Last Wednesday, I moderated a panel discussion on Government 2.0 for the Social Media Club, DC Chapter, where I had the opportunity to speak with, and more importantly, learn from, some of the people most responsible for that phrase – Government 2.0. I’m not even speaking of just the panelists – it seemed like virtually every attendee could have been one of the “experts” on the panel (and probably have been at some point).
Social Media Club DC Government 2.0 Panel
Panelists included:
- Chris Dorobek, Federal News Radio co-anchor, The Daily Debrief with Chris Dorobek and Amy Morris (http://dorobekinsider.com/)
- Mark Drapeau, Associate Research Fellow, National Defense University and Mashable Blogger
- Steve Field, Media Relations Manager, Ground Systems at BAE Systems and author of the D-Ring Blog
As I began the discussion, focusing first on the definition of Government 2.0, and then diving into some of the unique challenges the government faces, I noticed something about the three panelists and the 100 or so people in the audience. This was a gathering of people interested in Government 2.0 and how this concept is fundamentally changing the way our government operates and the audience wasn’t filled with Chief Technology Officers, Chief Information Officers, Directors, or Secretaries – it was filled with scientists, contractors, members of the media, webmasters,and start-ups.
That’s when it really hit home for me, that the present and future of social media within the government doesn’t lie with whom President Obama’s CTO will be, or what memos and directives the Obama administration will issue.
Social media is driven by the person, not the position.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a GS-7 working on a government website, a concerned citizen, or a Chief Technology Officer – social media isn’t about the title, it’s about the person. It’s about the person who has seen the potential of social media to make a change for the better and who has done something about it. It’s about the guy who convinces his administrator to do a press conference on Twitter. It’s about the group of people who self-organize a Government 2.0 Barcamp. It’s about the IT specialist who starts an entire social network dedicated to Government 2.0 in his spare time.
Speculating about Obama’s CTO or the impact this Administration will have on Government 2.0 is fun, but if you really want an idea of the future of social media and government, stop looking at the titles that follow the name, and focus instead on the person behind the name. Some of the most exciting things happening in Government 2.0 have their roots not in corner offices, but from cubicles, personal laptops, happy hours, and networking events.
*Photo courtesy of Mark Drapeau
January 18th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Darn tootin’! At EPA, for example, a new employee came up with the idea of doing a contest on YouTube to create outstanding videos to teach people about testing for radon.
That said, the key to me is for these individual efforts to eventually come together to light a fire at the highest levels. Then we’ll see the transformation from isolated pilots to these tools becoming a normal part of the landscape.
For a little more on that concept, see our outgoing Deputy Administrator’s blog post: http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2009/01/15/on-change/
January 19th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I agree that passionate people at any level can make a difference in social media. However, many people who haven’t bought into social media still use a person’s title as an indicator of their credibility. Since the social media world is so new, “experts” can often choose their own titles–some traditional (Collaboration Manager, Social Media Lead), and some more reflective of the new media’s culture (Doyen, Maven). Which title is more effective? The latter tend to stick in people’s minds since they are unusual, whereas the former might be more comfortable for social media skeptics and non-adopters. Where do you stand on this issue? If social media is driven by the person, not the position…but the position title could be created anyway, what is the most effective combination?
January 19th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I think you’re still too focused on the title itself. Focus instead on what you DO. Focus on what you’ve written. My title serves only as context-setter – “social media lead” – it doesn’t imply that I’m expert in any way, or even that I know what I’m talking about. This blog, my presentations, my internal blog, my wiki pages, etc. – that’s what I want “sticking in people’s minds.”
Use you as an example – you’ve made some really good traction at your company with what you’ve actually accomplished, not with what your title is. People know your name because of your blog, your client work, your wiki edits…not because you have some arbitrary title. The title should simply serve to give your audience – whether it’s a Vice President or a client or a colleague – some context on who it is they’re speaking with, not convey the level of you’re expertise.
January 29th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Thanks for the post Steve! Glad to have you participate, and think that everyone really enjoyed the session.
March 1st, 2009 at 12:25 am
Normally I don’t leave a comment but your post was excellent, well written and informative.
March 8th, 2009 at 12:45 am
?????? ????-????? 2008 ???? ?? 200 ??. ???? ????????. ??????!!!
+7 960 200 9209
March 10th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Nice Site. I will be visiting more often as you have done a good job.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I’m not big on commenting, but nice post.
March 20th, 2009 at 5:49 am
what an idea, good point
March 20th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Thank you for this, I really like reading your views.
March 27th, 2009 at 3:01 am
I’m not one to comment often, but nice post. I appreciate the time you put into it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:05 am
great stuff thanx
June 13th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
nice post
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:43 am
Very nice information. Thanks for it. – http://www.backlinkplus.com
August 8th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Excellent post. Thank you for having a quality site.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:15 am
Hi,
Thanks for the information,just found this post my technorati news feed section! I was searching for this since past 3 months and i am glad to see it here. Thanking you much
Martin
August 29th, 2009 at 11:27 am
i think what you write this is true, its depend from that person how to drive his/her into the social media.
September 4th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Thanks! Good news
September 7th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
very interesting article…
can you send other articles by email
thanks
September 12th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Hi,
Just found your blog on Technorati & Digg upcomming news feeds and read a few of your other posts.
ISeems good contents,Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Thanks,
Michael
September 17th, 2009 at 5:54 am
Hi,
Just found your blog on Technorati & Digg upcomming news feeds and read a few of your other posts.
ISeems good contents,Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Thanks,
Michael
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Hi! Thanks you for nice post
September 29th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
thanksssssssssssssssss o niceeeee very gooooddd
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
wow amazing!
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
http://hannrthghwekkhouljplioll.com hannrthghwekkhouljplioll
hannrthghwekkhouljplioll
hannrthghwekkhouljplioll
October 11th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Wow,
What a nice post,i just found this post story from my technorati profile news feeds section! I was searching for this since past 3 months and i am glad to see it here. Thanking you much
Kathe
October 11th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Great helpful information, Thanks for this nice post, just subscribed your feed, hope you will update new post soon.
keep it up.
Aaron.
October 13th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Hi,
Thanks for this nice post, i have found this post Url from my Newswine account recent news options,just subscribed your feed, hope you will update new post soon.
keep it up.
Michael
October 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Excellent Post, i have found this post Url from my Newswine account recent news options,just subscribed your feed, hope you will update new post soon.
keep it up.
Jenni.
October 18th, 2009 at 3:55 am
Really Nice Post, Just Read this News from my feedburner news reader feed,Especially I like this site Design Interface.
Very user friendly design.
Kind Regards,
David
October 19th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I am really loving the theme
October 31st, 2009 at 9:23 am
nice post..
thanks.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:28 am
I read a few topics. I respect your work and added blog to favorites
November 30th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Cool looking blog, might I ask you what template you are using and how much it costs? I have been using cheap ones but cannot locate one that I really like.
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:24 pm
amazing read, i enjoyed mainly the ending
December 14th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Great post. I Loved reading your post. Thank you for posting………
December 18th, 2009 at 4:21 am
This “one to many” and “many to many” strategy will create a wide scale social influence on the customers and communities they serve. I think India turns the social media into new strategies.
March 28th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Hello just came across your blog and i thank you for your story it was informative. I am interested about link building for my site too. Have you used the scrapebox.com program? If so is it good? If not then what is the best program? Thank you.
March 30th, 2010 at 9:11 am
it’s amazing post . I just added you to my News Reader. Keep up.
April 17th, 2010 at 6:47 am
I think the above article is informative for all concerned people. For me the Informations are really really useful.
June 3rd, 2010 at 6:25 am
Very nice information. Thanks for this. I've Bookmarked this page for future reference.
June 19th, 2010 at 5:18 am
This article is really great information. Thanks for providing us with an outlet to discuss our options. It is very helpful.
June 23rd, 2010 at 5:43 am
Excellent article. I expect more articles in future about it. I bookmarked it..
July 3rd, 2010 at 8:44 am
Social media is definitely driven by the person because all are equal in social media.
July 9th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
The bottom line is: You get what you put in to social media.
July 31st, 2010 at 6:22 pm
I can say that one of the persons who do this kind of approach is the owner of Facebook. He do this right kind of approach when he launched his own social media site and as far as I can see the owner of Facebook which is Mark Zuckerberg really do an interaction not only with his own developing team but with the users too by means of supporting their suggestion to improve more the social media site he owned.
August 9th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Twitter Comment
Social Media is Driven by the Person, Not the Position [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
August 28th, 2010 at 8:37 am
My sister recommended drinking alkaline water instead of bottled water. Something aboutalkalizing or something along thos lines is supposed to much more health for you.