The Online World resources handbook

Getting an edge over your competitors http://home.eunet.no/~presno/bok/11.html
in private virtual meeting rooms on the net.
For ideas about how to set up and operate a coordination conference, study how
volunteer organizations do it. One place to check is KIDPLAN, a coordination
conference used by Kidlink. Browse the discussion that took place between May 8,
through May 28, 1991.
Agreeing on a time for your meeting across time zones may also be a challenge.
Check "Agreeing on a time for your meeting" in Chapter 4 for solutions.
Making it work
Making online conferences and task force meetings work, can be a challenge. Most of
the dialog is based on the written word. The flow of information can be strong. This may
cause an information overload for some members.
To overcome this, consider appointing a moderator organizer for your online
conference. This person:
Adds value by setting agendas; summarizing points; getting the discussion(s)
back on track; moving on to the next point; mediating debate; maintaining
address and member lists; acting as general sparkplug/motivator to keep
things flowing by making sure that contributions are acknowledged, relevant
points are noted, new members are welcomed, silent "Read Only Members"
are encouraged to participate, and the general atmosphere is kept
appropriate to the goals of the conference/task force meeting.
Great online conferences do not just happen. Those set to get the meeting fired up and
keep the discussion rolling must work hard on it.
The meeting's organization may depend on the number of participants, where they
come from, the exclusivity of the forum, and the goal of the meeting.
In large meetings, with free access for outsiders, the best strategy may be to appoint
a Moderator Editor. This person
filters contributions, gathers new information, summarizes scattered
contributions, does background research.
Filtering may be desirable when conferences are open to customers and media. Its main
purpose, however, is to help participants cope with the absolute flow of information.
A conference can have an educational purpose. You can bring in someone who can
add value by bringing experience and expertise to the group.
You also need someone to do the dirty jobs everyone expects to be done but never
notices until they are not. This person keeps the show running by serving as a
benevolent tyrant, sheriff, judge, mediator, general scapegoat, and by playing a role in
setting the general policy and atmosphere of the meeting.
To support the work, you may use an online PIM (personal information manager)
like the one offered by AnyDay. It offers calendar, task list, and contacts through the
web.
Now, back to the 'normal' applications of the online resource.
Watching what others do
Peter Drucker says (Forbes ASAP 8/29/94, p. 104):
"Most CEOs still believe that it's the chief information officer's job to
identify the information he requires. This is, of course, a fallacy. The
information officer is a toolmaker; the CEO is the tool user.
... the information you need the really important information you
cannot truly get from your information system. Your information system
gives you inside information. But there are no results inside a business."
At the heart of any profit making company is sales. No matter how wonderful the
technology or how dedicated the manufacturing staff, without sales, the company fails.
2 of 14 23.11.2009 15:47