I'm having a debate with some colleagues about the value of sharing information on the web. This site is a case in point, people share information, tips, best practice and knowledge freely here with seemingly little thought for business and/or competitive advantage. Perhaps that's just the British way - discuss. The fact is though that this site is overwhelmingly dominated by Brits asking and providing solutions domestically.
However there are other sites where the population is more international and sharing of information/solutions may or does have an impact on business, specifically jobs being lost overseas. So if we share information are we helping jobs disappear overseas with our very solutions and helpfulness. If so how much do you share? If this forum were inundated by trainers from say China all looking for solutions and knowledge in your particular discipline and you knew your industry was losing jobs to China because of a low cost base how would you react?
I know its hypothetical but its happening already in some industries, the internet is global and as we all know knowledge is power or to use another more emotive phrase "knowledge is jobs .....it could be yours next."
Mark Starling
2 Responses
Sharing is a peer thing but not a bad thing
Not quite sure I agree with the thoughts here. So here goes on my angle.
First knowledge is not power, it is an enabler or a tool that a trainer/consultant uses to persuade the recipient in terms of ability to regurgitate cognative retention.
The competitive advantage shoudl come from the intelligence of thought that springs from the amassing of data/knowledge.
I think the smarter clients are buying the ability to absorb your intelligence not your knowledge.
Therefore in the global market place where we still have (thank heavens) distinct cultural perceptions and understanding so unless a Chinese consultant understands UK or USA culture, they have a disadvantage they can only overcome by being in that culture.
Having travelled the world as a sales consultant I would say my skills and understandin (intelligence) are relatively unique. I woudl quite happily share knowledge with anyone, but I would still challenge them to do a good a job as I believe I do.
So I think my customer buy my services for that reason. If they want a non-global person to do stuff for them, they will most likely get the local focus of the person or team they engaged.
On the other hand process stuff is easy to assimilate, and if it can be done outside of the local economy for less, then that is the nature of business.
Having said this, I have never worked in China, so maybe they hold some good poker cards I am not aware of.
Finally people like to share becuase it makes them feel good, and it’s about peer recognition – which is what sales people tend to seek.
The answer’s within….
Dear Pete,
Thanks for your response.
I found exactly the answers I was looking for at the following website…….
Reciprocation in cyberspace would appear to be a subject in its own right and as usual the academics got there before us
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/kollock/papers/economies.htm#FOOTNOTE_5