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Part 7: 'Us' power

DON TAPSCOTT AND ANTHONY D. WILLIAMS

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 9:37 AM EDT 23/01/07

Web-based tools offer advantages for firms that adapt their working style ...Read the full article

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  1. mr motoc from Vancouver Island, Canada writes: Gee, I guess 'mass collaboration' will COMPLETELY ELIMINATE the phenomenon of under-brained, boot-licking parasites claiming credit for other people's work and getting undeserved promotions, right ? Oh, wait . . . .
  2. Jim Shepherd from Lima, Peru writes: The hardest and fastest business style is setting up your own company and immediately diversifying into several counter-cyclical endeavours.

    This allows you to enter into new business opportunities, while maintaining operations and cash flow.

    For salary slaves, the best option is a largely employee-owned company, where everyone understands that without developing marketable products and paying clients, they are out of business, and out of a job.

    Then we get to stock options and investing retirement funds in the company that they work for.

    This is also called Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and it is not a particularly good idea, unless you also enjoy heading to Las Vegas with the rent money.

    Send your kids to Junior Achievement. The sooner that they learn how to set up their own company the better. Because there many big IF's in 'life' that even insurance can't handle.

    Better to learn early in life how to take care of yourself, no matter what happens (even in Canada or Peru).

    Web-based communication plays a big part in this, but we have all known this for at least 10 years. Best Regards.
  3. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: A little bitter Mr. Motoc?

    You remind me of a computer consulting company I ran for 15 years at the end of the century.

    I brought on top notch people, (Lets use the number 10). 50% were not into collaboration, they felt that if they shared their ideas with the others, they would put themselves out of a job. They actively took up the other 50%'s ideas though.

    Guess which 50% are no longer in the industry?

    Great article Globe and Mail
  4. Brad Buss from Toronto, writes: I dont get Wikipedia and dont think it is useful. Indeed, it is annoying as it pops up in search engines. It does continue the trend of believing whatever one reads from believing what you see on tv. I'll stick to experts thanks. Big hug for the kumbyah collaborators and throw in another cool word - stakeholders! Decisions arent made by committees. They are made by the leader in the corner. Sure, the ideas can come from many people but one person makes the call and gets paid the big money or fired if its wrong. Then the 'original' idea maker gets to Monday morning quarterback. A lot like these silly comments.
  5. Raymond Lowe from Canada writes: These articles have been interesting, albiet not entirely different from what I already know - although the detail and linkage is new. To Mr. Buss, what isn't there to 'get' about wikipedia ? As mentioned in an article previously, it is several times the size of Briticannica and growing - with statistically the same accuracy. It is in one form the democratization of knowledge for all - at least in English but increasinlgy other languages too. Of course, it can't spell all good news for textbook writers and those that would serve as the protectors of knowledge for the elite, but I have little sympathy. And as I think we all really know - the so-called experts on things don't know that much - but if they all got together and wrote their ideas someplace universally accessible along with their detractors - that would be interesting - oh wait...

    Thanks to the Globe and Mail for publishing this series.
  6. Stinch d from toronto, Canada writes: Hey Brad Buss - what else don't you "get?" iPods, PVRs and Blackberries? You sound like one of those people who says things like "I don't think this whole internet thing is gonna fly..." And if "stakeholder" is a new, cool word for you, I suggest it's time to leave the 9 to 5 you have and head back to school before the new economy leaves you in the dust. Having worked for Fortune 500 firms and small internet start-ups alike, I'll tell you right now, collaboration is the only way things get done these days, and one person never ends up holding the bag at the end of the day, regardless of what office they sit in.

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