Our April 21 Twitter chat explored the implications of open organizational thinking for "Main Street" businesses. More than 40 community members chimed in.
You'll find the highlights below. Read, enjoy, and get ready for the next #OpenOrgChat!
Q1: What unique challenges do non-tech orgs face when becoming more open? #OpenOrgChat
A1: Tech makes collaboration easier, faster, but there's a learning curve. Might be harder to get adoption. #OpenOrgChat
— Rebecca Fernandez (@ruhbehka) April 21, 2016
A1: many non-tech companies have siloed groups that have hard edges around areas of responsibility - reducing collaboration #OpenOrgChat
— JP Sherman (@jpsherman) April 21, 2016
A1. Shifting culture, changing mindsets. #OpenOrgChat
— Charlie Reisinger (@charlie3) April 21, 2016
A.1 @openorgbook #1 challenge faced by non-tech orgs becoming open -- Culture ! #OpenOrgChat https://t.co/hZhBjMyfsB
— E.G.Nadhan (@NadhanEG) April 21, 2016
Q2: What do tech-oriented orgs tend to take for granted that non-tech firms can't? #OpenOrgChat
A2: That anyone can use tech to facilitate open communication + sharing. What works in a tech-savvy org might not for others. #OpenOrgChat
— Rebecca Fernandez (@ruhbehka) April 21, 2016
A2 tech companies tend to assume everyone is as wired in/connected as they are. #OpenOrgChat
— Thomas Cameron (@thomasdcameron) April 21, 2016
A2: tech org culture = change/evolve or die. non-tech may not have that level of pressure to adapt. #openorgchat
— Sandra McCann (@sc_mccann) April 21, 2016
A2: Tech orgs often believe they understand their customers better than they really do #openorgchat
— jackieyeaney (@jackieyeaney) April 21, 2016
a2. everybody is online all the time at tech-rich companies. easy to take for granted when considering communication. #openorgchat
— Sam Knuth (@samfw) April 21, 2016
A2: That everyone has the time or interest to devote to online discussions. #OpenOrgChat
— Rebecca Fernandez (@ruhbehka) April 21, 2016
A2: that people will make full usage of /try out all the features of tools available; non-tech orgs don't i think #openorgchat
— Máirín Duffy (@mairin) April 21, 2016
A2: some non-tech orgs tend to view connectivity/ online media as only a "broadcast" medium ignoring value of push/pull #openorgchat
— JP Sherman (@jpsherman) April 21, 2016
Q3: What's the first step a leader can take to foster a culture of sharing in a traditionally closed org? #OpenOrgChat
A3: Share your own stories - challenges you’ve personally faced. Be vulnerable #openorgchat
— jackieyeaney (@jackieyeaney) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook A3. Lead by example. Set the tone--actions speak louder than words. #OpenOrgChat
— Charlie Reisinger (@charlie3) April 21, 2016
A3: Practice what you preach (open). Also find a balance between tech and other skills (face-to-face) https://t.co/VTSwHaoUOq #OpenOrgChat
— Robin Muilwijk (@i_robin) April 21, 2016
YES - share plans, share results, share problems, share successes, share responsibilities & repeat #openorgchat https://t.co/2vWDWnEEmk
— JP Sherman (@jpsherman) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook Our CEO has been very open about good AND bad choices. Makes him approachable and makes us more likely to join in #OpenOrgChat
— Thomas Cameron (@thomasdcameron) April 21, 2016
Q4: What kind of transparency is possible in orgs with strong mandates to protect personal information, like hospitals? #OpenOrgChat
@openorgbook A4: Open does not mean violating personal privacy. HIPPA and FERPA (for Edu) still matter. #OpenOrgChat
— Charlie Reisinger (@charlie3) April 21, 2016
A4: Lead by example. Be willing to share data with your customers about your own org's plans, lessons learned, etc. #OpenOrgChat
— Rebecca Fernandez (@ruhbehka) April 21, 2016
A4: Transparency and privacy are not incompatible. When in doubt, aggregate the data! #OpenOrgChat https://t.co/13u1tJvn4X
— Jason Baker (@jehb) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook A4 general employee issues, quality, engagement, success stories can all be shared without regulatory probs #OpenOrgChat
— Thomas Cameron (@thomasdcameron) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook A4 so you can make impact greater, employees happier, customers better served w/o breaking finance or health regs #OpenOrgChat
— Thomas Cameron (@thomasdcameron) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook A4: personal details can still be private, but open up process decisions, improvements, strategies etc. #openorgchat
— Sandra McCann (@sc_mccann) April 21, 2016
A4: Transparency is sharing my own data. Privacy is respecting yours. #OpenOrgChat
— Rebecca Fernandez (@ruhbehka) April 21, 2016
A4: You can still be an Open Leader w/ your approaches, challenges, getting input #openorgchat
— jackieyeaney (@jackieyeaney) April 21, 2016
A4: i see sharing info by an org is an invitation to collaborate, "sharing" private information isn't sharing, it's exposing #openorgchat
— JP Sherman (@jpsherman) April 21, 2016
A5: Q: How can you practice inclusive decision-making when access to/familiarity with digital tools is limited? #OpenOrgChat
@openorgbook A5: No software needed: F2F meetings, talk over coffee, keep doors open during meetings. #OpenOrgChat
— Charlie Reisinger (@charlie3) April 21, 2016
A5: Most people can figure out how to take an online survey. If not, there's paper and pen. #OpenOrgChat
— Rebecca Fernandez (@ruhbehka) April 21, 2016
Q5 #openorgchat Have regular meetings where everyone is invited & expected to share.
— Don Watkins (@Don_Watkins) April 21, 2016
A5: It can get expensive, but nothing beats in person when you build community #OpenOrgChat
https://t.co/hK8YwSbyyi— Jason Hibbets (@jhibbets) April 21, 2016
A5: cross pollinating team transparency by encouraging presentations by one team to other teams. #openorgchat https://t.co/7Da2nsmA43
— JP Sherman (@jpsherman) April 21, 2016
A5: Sharing still works with information printed on dead trees and conversations between live humans! #OpenOrgChat https://t.co/owCivmNrko
— Jason Baker (@jehb) April 21, 2016
A5: For inclusive decison making - tools are not the issue ! Culture is the issue. email is a great collaboration tool #openorgchat
— Jeff Mackanic (@mackanic) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook A5: also, focus on the less-formal to encourage the reluctant to participate. Brings out more ideas #openorgchat
— Sandra McCann (@sc_mccann) April 21, 2016
A5: maybe a silly suggestion - build camaraderie / trust between employees so they're communicating; have regular social events #openorgchat
— Máirín Duffy (@mairin) April 21, 2016
A5; Understand your team https://t.co/HVh3uzV777 #OpenOrgChat
— Robin Muilwijk (@i_robin) April 21, 2016
Q6: How can we translate "with more eyes, all bugs are shallow" for non-tech orgs? #OpenOrgChat
A6: With enough dinner guests, someone will spot the hair in the casserole. ?? #OpenOrgChat
— Rebecca Fernandez (@ruhbehka) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook A6 "The more of us - customers & staff - who work on this, the faster we'll find and fix problems." #OpenOrgChat
— Thomas Cameron (@thomasdcameron) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook A6: Build diverse teams. With more voices, all problems are surmountable. #openorgchat
— Charlie Reisinger (@charlie3) April 21, 2016
A6: Every organization has "bugs" whether they're tracked that way or not. Share your bugs widely! #OpenOrgChat https://t.co/qtgadZ8mf3
— Jason Baker (@jehb) April 21, 2016
A6: “The more people you have involved, the faster you will find mistakes” #openorgchat
— jackieyeaney (@jackieyeaney) April 21, 2016
A6: "you can't see the spinach in your own teeth" ? #openorgchat
— Máirín Duffy (@mairin) April 21, 2016
Q8: What are greatest benefits of #TheOpenOrg thinking when motives aren't profit-seeking? #OpenOrgChat
@openorgbook A8. Public schools are not about profit. Sharing is easy when the goal is student growth, not revenue. #OpenOrgChat
— Charlie Reisinger (@charlie3) April 21, 2016
Q9: What was the biggest challenge you faced when transitioning to an open org like Red Hat #OpenOrgChat
A9: I was shocked I was able to tell my boss "that may not work, here's my suggestion" without fear #openorgchat https://t.co/IRU7luE1Jw
— JP Sherman (@jpsherman) April 21, 2016
.@openorgbook A9: Having patience in my decision making & for getting things done 'cause the results are BETTER! #OpenOrgChat
— jackieyeaney (@jackieyeaney) April 21, 2016
Q10: What types of mainstream organizations could benefit from adopting open org principles? #OpenOrgChat
@openorgbook A10 I can't really think of ANY organization that couldn't benefit from openness. Positive collaboration rules! #OpenOrgChat
— Thomas Cameron (@thomasdcameron) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook A10: education &govt at all levels. Open internally and to interested public. Broaden ideas, feedback #openorgchat
— Sandra McCann (@sc_mccann) April 21, 2016
A10: Non-profits (have a strong community, use that strength!). Orgs that need to adapt fast to a changing world. #OpenOrgChat
— Rebecca Fernandez (@ruhbehka) April 21, 2016
A10: Who wouldn't benefit? When we launched @opensourceway, this stuff was revolutionary. Now? #OpenGov #OpenAccess #OpenEdu #OpenOrgChat
— Rebecca Fernandez (@ruhbehka) April 21, 2016
Q11: How can educators prepare students to work in an open org? #EdTech #OpenOrgChat
@openorgbook A:11 Create a supportive environment 4 students to take risks, and take ownership of their learning. #openorgchat #edtech
— Charlie Reisinger (@charlie3) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook A:11 Teachers are no longer special knowledge snowflakes. The new roles are guides, mentors...pathfinders. #openorgchat
— Charlie Reisinger (@charlie3) April 21, 2016
Q12: How do we apply the principles of #TheOpenOrg to government and other entrenched hierarchical orgs #OpenOrgChat
A12: I would start holding forums, roundtables and workshops with diverse leaders from outside the org #OpenOrgChat https://t.co/6LKJePTrqq
— jackieyeaney (@jackieyeaney) April 21, 2016
Q13: Finally, post a GIF that best expresses the idea of an open organization #OpenOrgChat
#OpenOrgChat https://t.co/hM61dJWTya https://t.co/HgpHg5KCWk
— jackieyeaney (@jackieyeaney) April 21, 2016
@openorgbook Students become teachers - A photo from the @pennmanor 1:1 laptop launch. #openorgchat pic.twitter.com/9AjNczXjNl
— Charlie Reisinger (@charlie3) April 21, 2016
A13: what it feels like to work in an open org #openorgchat pic.twitter.com/oUlhM5x1GV
— JP Sherman (@jpsherman) April 21, 2016
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