Mountain Top
I’m writing this from the terrace of the Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue outside Zurich. We’re at a little pre Davos warm up (weather duly obliged) for Social Entrepreneurs run by The Schwab Foundation. How inspiring to be surrounded by colourful and charismatic individuals from all over the world who are changing their world every day. This is the grass roots to Davos’s big sky. This is where ideas meet money. And as ever there appears to be a surfeit of the former and a deficit of the latter.
I’m writing this from the terrace of the Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue outside Zurich. We’re at a little pre Davos warm up (weather duly obliged) for Social Entrepreneurs run by The Schwab Foundation. How inspiring to be surrounded by colourful and charismatic individuals from all over the world who are changing their world every day. This is the grass roots to Davos’s big sky. This is where ideas meet money. And as ever there appears to be a surfeit of the former and a deficit of the latter.
Common to this gathering and every other I’ve attended in the past year was the theme of the social web. Specifically the great potential of the internet to multiply human capital and create social capital. There’s a high level of consciousness that as communication and education seem critical to solving many of world’s problems then cheap broadband, ubiquitous mobile and online social networks genuinely could hold the key to a better future, faster.
In just two short years the phenomenon of online social networking has become massive and mainstream with myspace, bebo, facebook, youtube and linked-in being the big five. But I think the definition of “social” is about to change. Until now it’s been the sociable web. What it’s about to become is the pro-social web. Because what’s interesting is not what we’re using this technology for now – but what it could be used for in the future. The potential for people to connect and collaborate, to share and support, to create and campaign across geography, in spite of circumstances and with equal voice and opportunity is really exciting.
Specifically we’ve launched horsesmouth.co.uk this week to explore what might happen if we unlock and unleash all the learning we each have in our own lives in a supportive community in which we can all give and gain. Its a kind of eBay of life experiences where all the stuff we’ve got locked up in our heads and hearts that we’ve forgotten about or never think about, becomes valuable in its transfer to relevant and appreciative others.
So whether its applied to career inspiration, returning mothers, role models for diversity or struggles with work-life balance, often the best and most useful voice is that of someone who’s been there and done that.
I see this is a lateral learning paradigm which can sit alongside and with reference to the vertical and more conventional pedagogy of professional services, expert advisors and classical education. My view is that it will happen anyway – so why not try to make it safe, sane and fit for purpose.
Effectively horsesmouth.co.uk takes the highly proven and successful mentoring model, available only to the lucky few and notoriously hard to scale, and offers a fit-for-purpose social network as a venue for making it safe fun and accessible to all.
To the usual social networking tools of search, profiling, communication and publishing we’ve added some cool new tools like the M-factor rating system, the thank-you bank and a time management and monitoring system – all designed around the consciously altruistic “ time giving” ethos of the site.
So, as employers struggle with the “beat them or join them” dilemma of how to get involved in the web2.0 world, horsesmouth.co.uk offers a platform that the employer, the employee and various communities could all simultaneously benefit from.
As part of our partnership programme we will be hosting employer branded mentors on the site outreaching to communities of interest. So this is not only an exciting new way to engage significantly more employees in personally meaningful volunteering activities – but also a way to contribute to and engage with specific issues or communities in the public sphere as part of a CSR programme.
An hour a week spent on horsesmouth could be a golden hour of company time, an enjoyable and rewarding hour for the individual and a life changing hour for a member of the community. And as with all online activity there is a rich data set available for reporting and research and for CPD and accreditation, Of course companies can be profiled on the site with links to appropriate information and web resources and sponsorship packages are available.
So I’m excited by our launch and look forward to welcoming new partners, new mentors and new members into our community
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- Posted by mt on 23/01/08 at 1:26pm
- Comments (16) Trackbacks (1) Permalink
Comments
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Congrats on going fully public and live with the site.
Reply by Dom Waghorn on 01/25/08 at 12:44 pm
mt
I would be interested in emailing/talking with you more. I am a retired silicon valley executive now living in London. I would like to connect with like-minded individuals involved in technology here. Just joined your social networking site . . . congrats on its launch. very easy to use . . .
best
Paula Harvan
Reply by on 03/01/08 at 6:15 pm
In addition to furnishing a learning environment equipped with all the latest technology, the centre offers an integrated infrastructure.
Reply by servicii it on 05/13/08 at 12:13 pm
Sounds like a beneficial platform. Utilizing a niche area, with solid tools in the ever growing social networking environment should bring you much success.
Reply by Jim Bisnett on 05/15/08 at 3:58 pm
Gratz!!!
Reply by CasCad on 05/20/08 at 5:24 pm
Congratulations and keep up the good work!
Reply by Fredricka Bellamy on 05/23/08 at 2:18 am
congrats.
Reply by Retire on 05/27/08 at 4:33 pm
In keeping with the idea of global dialogue, the topics will be examined and debated by representatives from Swiss Re as well as prominent figures from the fields of economics, politics and research.
Reply by outsourcing companies on 05/27/08 at 8:09 pm
Guys, what is CCS?
Reply by Abigail K Sellers on 05/31/08 at 11:01 pm
Online social networking is actually growing like wild fire. Its so popular because these type of sites offers world of opportunities for networking starting from making friends to finding online dating partner
Reply by free local dating on 06/05/08 at 4:02 am
Good to note that it helps for career inspiration too. good job.
http://www.homebiz-direct.com/businessOpportunities.html
Reply by Jennifer on 06/06/08 at 2:44 pm
Swiss Re is also committed to the promotion of learning and corporate values. A team of dedicated learning specialists continuously keeps managers and specialists prepared for new challenges.
Reply by business voip services on 06/10/08 at 4:08 pm
excellent notes, will come in handy for sure
Reply by Clyde Hill on 06/13/08 at 3:02 am
social networking sites these days are good for not only networking but alo for finding local date and build relationship
Reply by relationship on 06/17/08 at 10:32 pm
The Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations identified and selected by the foundation’s board and executive staff based on years of partnership with providers who bring a deep knowledge of their community and a strong commitment to improving lives.
Reply by outsource sales on 07/04/08 at 12:31 pm
n just two short years the phenomenon of online social networking has become massive and mainstream with myspace, bebo, facebook, youtube and linked-in being the big five
Reply by sicily property on 07/04/08 at 1:03 pm