In Second Life, "knowledge collisions" really do happen
January 11 2007 04:02:45 PM
Add/Read Comments [13]
It is often said that software (email, chat, web conferencing, etc) can't reproduce "water cooler conversations". These are where people bump into each other unplanned, and this "knowledge collision" results in a valuable sharing of information.
There are still many questions about the business value of virtual worlds, so I wanted to share a true "collaborative experience" I had this week in Second Life.
I was walking around the IBM islands trying to see what was there. Using the Second Life map, I could see that there were a few people gathered in a certain IBM building so I decided to walk. The building was a recreation of an office building, complete with offices and meeting rooms. I walked into one of the offices to find a fellow IBMer (I'll call him Dylan) sitting behind their desk working. I said a quick hello not wanting to interrupt. They said hello back, and started a quick conversation. Being polite, after a few sentences Dylan stood up and walked over to me to carry on our conversation.
In Second Life, much like the real world, if you are close to a public conversation that is taking place you can "hear it". Some of Dylan's employees "heard" our conversation, and came over to join in. We chatted for a few minutes, and it became apparent that this impromptu meeting was a good one that we should carry on. Dylan suggested we take a seat on some couches in his office, and we continued to talk for several minutes.
At the end of the meeting, we had a quick "cheers" to celebrate the brain storming work we had done.
This was an amazing experience. The odds are very low that I would have met these people in the real world. I also would not have started a random chat with them via instant messaging. The emersive nature of virtual worlds allowed me to meet, interact, and benefit from a conversation with fellow IBMers that otherwise would not have happened. These type of "knowledge accidents" don't have to be with people from just your own company, they could be with customers, partners, and even potential new customers. This story is not marketing hype, that is an actual encounter from my real life. I'm hooked.
There are still many questions about the business value of virtual worlds, so I wanted to share a true "collaborative experience" I had this week in Second Life.
I was walking around the IBM islands trying to see what was there. Using the Second Life map, I could see that there were a few people gathered in a certain IBM building so I decided to walk. The building was a recreation of an office building, complete with offices and meeting rooms. I walked into one of the offices to find a fellow IBMer (I'll call him Dylan) sitting behind their desk working. I said a quick hello not wanting to interrupt. They said hello back, and started a quick conversation. Being polite, after a few sentences Dylan stood up and walked over to me to carry on our conversation.
In Second Life, much like the real world, if you are close to a public conversation that is taking place you can "hear it". Some of Dylan's employees "heard" our conversation, and came over to join in. We chatted for a few minutes, and it became apparent that this impromptu meeting was a good one that we should carry on. Dylan suggested we take a seat on some couches in his office, and we continued to talk for several minutes.
At the end of the meeting, we had a quick "cheers" to celebrate the brain storming work we had done.
This was an amazing experience. The odds are very low that I would have met these people in the real world. I also would not have started a random chat with them via instant messaging. The emersive nature of virtual worlds allowed me to meet, interact, and benefit from a conversation with fellow IBMers that otherwise would not have happened. These type of "knowledge accidents" don't have to be with people from just your own company, they could be with customers, partners, and even potential new customers. This story is not marketing hype, that is an actual encounter from my real life. I'm hooked.
What does it mean to be "sitting behind your desk, working" in SL? Was the avatar in an e-meeting and on a conference call? :)
Chris
Yes, I noticed this too, and blogged about it a couple of days ago. It's the random encounters you have, that are the most interesting. I've met with a lot of different IBM people, from Europe (Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain) but also from the US; from hardware, software and Global Services.
On several occasions we've exchanged calling cards, too; we'll be able to find one another again.
I'm glad to see something more akin to business happening in Second Life. I will be very interested in how IBM pursues virtual worlds in general. What is the strategy for making them more than a toy environment?
Man I really hate being the devil's advocate here, but here goes. Are you suggesting that people, not being paid to do so, wil be spending their workdays in virtual worlds where these chance encounters will occur. Might that not be a hard sell?
Chris, it does not have to be "spending their workdays", it could be anytime. It could be during their break, their lunch, their evening, or yes, even part of their work day if that is what they or their company want. Look, it is part of my job now and it was not a year ago, and my boss knows all about it.
The definition of "work day" is dramatically changing.
More and more people I know are working based on "project/task completion" vs. "# of hours, and certain hours a day". Working at home enables people to work in a different manner. Working with mobile devices allows people to work in a different manner. Web conferencing allows people to work in a different manner. Don't you think companies had arguments against each of those options years ago? (and some still do). Perhaps virtual worlds will allow people to work differently as well.
Just like looking at who is online in my Sametime Contacts list, I now find myself looking at my Friends list in Second Life. I log on, and I want to know, "Who else is here? What island are they on? What are they doing?" I often teleport over to them, say a quick hello, and move on.
New worlds...
Hi Rick. Nice to "meet" you, and thanks for the link on your blog. I am not in the position to "speak for IBM" as far as our overall virtual world strategy. For that, I'll point you to Irving Wladawsky-Berger's blog. I can give you my personal options on some potential strategies for Lotus though, given the understanding that all of this is just at the beginning stages, and nothing is set in stone!
First, I want to point our that our strategy is more than Second Life specifically. The larger picture is instead about virtual worlds and immersive 3D interfaces in general.
For Lotus, it is all about how can these technologies facilitate collaboration?
Could web conferences take on new more interactive dimensions?
Can stronger connections between coworkers, customers, partners, press and analysts be made?
Can learning/training/education be augmented?
Can virtual conferences help reach larger audiences than physical ones alone?
Can information (email, chats, rss feeds, etc, etc, etc) be more easily absorbed in a 3D environment than a 2D one?
This list goes on, and I am open to hearing any suggestions.
is there anything going on in Second Life relating to Lotusphere? I did briefly see a Lotusphere Architect yesterday in IBM 8 but then I got lost before speaking to them.
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Hi Alan I missed this post when I was away.
This is precisely the nearest "win" item for Second Life use for the enterprise. As an employee of a global company who's colleagues are around the world and within different time zones, these tools can be the new "water cooler".
Instant Messaging is instant and efficient, but having your avatar "hanging out" is a more natural human way of communicating with remote workers or clients. Once the conversation starts the "more human" interaction continues - you "see" more, you have even more tools to "show" what you mean.
Its not complete yet but its showing the potential for a lot of solutions - when the tool is progressed and voice, maybe live video added to avatars faces (providing expression) - this will be huge and powerful.
Alan - when I return to England - now we have met in real life - I will have to hook up to you in Second Life!
Thanks Steve, I am really happy we got to meet in Orlando as well. I wish we could have hung out more, but we can remedy that next time.
well new to domino world but really find everythng very interesting hope i will add some new features to it.....cheers 2 all........
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