Return to Jive Software

Currently Being Moderated
4

"Enterprise 2.0" doesn't work as the name of a market. I get that it persists as a modification of Web 2.0 but it doesn't work long term for the name of a market. When everyone begins distancing themselves from anything associated with trendy nomenclature, no one will want to be the darling of something as perishable as "Enterprise 2.0." 

 

So, if not Enterprise 2.0, then what? The only other concept that seems to connect is "Social," though I'm conflicted about that prefix. It's obviously just as prevalent as "2.0" and more accurately descriptive, but the word "social" is often met with a raised eyebrow in the enterprise. "Social" sounds like it's about wasting time though I imagine with enough momentum, the term could be redefined (people take the word "Google" seriously). The whole nomenclature debate reminds me of the hype cycle that the prefix "e" traversed in the mid to late 1990s and some of the "e"-words survived. Regardless, it would appear that "Social" is the moniker of our time. Check it out:

 

Mid-Late 1990s

Mid-Late 2000s

  • eMail

  • eCommerce

  • eBusiness

  • ePinions

  • eCards

  • eLoans

  • eToys

  • eBay

  • eTrade

  • eRooms

  • eRewards

  • eLearning

  • eBooks

 

Maybe the Wikipedians were far enough outside of the echo chamber to be able to see the forest through the trees. Perhaps merging Enterprise 2.0 with social computing is a better move, but we think that social software inside the enterprise has to be focused on productivity. That's why we use the term "Social Productivity" instead of "Enterprise 2.0." Maybe you could ask these guys about it this Friday.

2,424 Views Tags: enterprise_2.0, social_productivity


Add a comment Leave a comment on this blog post.
Jan 8, 2008 12:44 PM Guest Lee White  says:

I have been struggling with the same thing. Do you keep using a term that you know has different meanings for different people, and does not fully convey the underlying meaning? I think part of the issue is that the subject matter is so fluent and dynamic that it is hard to label effectively.

 

This just goes the point discussed earlier, the focus should be on the underlying issues of communication and business process and not the technology per se.

Jan 8, 2008 12:56 PM Sam Lawrence Sam Lawrence    says in response to Lee White:

Lee-

 

So true. It's hard not to keep using the term. I do it, too. Maybe if enough of us zealots protest and change our vocabulary, we can make a dent

Jan 24, 2008 8:29 AM Guest Chris Brogan...  says:

Wow. FIrst, I love your web design. Looks really nice, crisp, and useful.

 

Second, great pointer to how often "social" is being over-used. O one side of the coin, I'm sick of the word myself. On the other, I know that people just catching up tot he conversation are just now getting comfortable with the word, so I don't want to change it in my posts and information, so that I don't inadvertently lose people searching.

 

But your points are strong and sound.

 

Glad to get introduced to your technology through your blog post. : )

Jan 24, 2008 9:08 AM Michael Sigler Michael Sigler    says in response to Chris Brogan...:

Thanks for design compliment Chris. Us pixel pushers live for those comments.