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

...but because all of the conversations on horsesmouth are private (unless they’re triggered to moderation for some reason) we cant get to see all the good stuff that’s happening unless people tell us about it. Some people have been getting in touch with great stories - but we know a lot more of you have been busy getting and giving good support and advice. So if you’d be willing to go public ( either in your own name or anonymously under your username) about your horsesmouth experiences please get in touch here by leaving a comment, or contact us via the main site with a way we can get in touch.

Thanks in advance!

We’re also still experimenting with our moderation policies and practices. Our main goal is to keep the site safe for users - and we really do discourage people from exchanging contact details and meeting in real life. Its clear for some people though that this can be counterproductive - particularly in business mentoring relationships - and we’re looking for ways to deal with this and to work with partners to address it.

The new site (more colour, more visible content, more user friendly navigation etc etc) is currently being tested and the bugs (colonies of them) are being zapped. This appears to be a one-bug-at-a-time process which of course frustrates me. It seems that one dead bug makes another bug appear ( the rabbit bug?) but that of course is the nature of technology - its ultimately binary. Amazing really.

So I’m hoping that we can launch (which means go live) in about four weeks time. But I have been saying that for about four months. At least I’m consistent!

Meanwhile I’m a Facebook addict and we’re busy with idea for horsesmouth apps! Check out our facebook group.

Any thoughts on any of this much appreciated here

best

MT