Comment on Node ant

Bob Jacobson — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:32:02 -0400

I heard a gentleman from Innosight, Clay Christensen's innovation consultancy, express what needs to be done in one line for successful dialogue: "Speak like you know you're right, listen like you know you're wrong." It's not clear to me what design thinking can add to this pristine and memorable piece of advice, other than to specify technologies for speaking and techniques for ensuring that utterances are heard. But that's tactical stuff.

Comment on Node ant

Bob Jacobson — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:59:04 -0400

I'm an AA customer. One has to be in Tucson, your choices are so few. I think the website is middling. I use it because unless I do, I cannot book online at AA or check my mileage. On the other hand, other airlines are hardly better. I also fly SAS and it's a complete wreck, with the additional penalty that there's no one to complain to except Customer Service -- and for that you need a password! The best and easiest to use airline website remains Southwest Airlines, which has made it a corporate mission to listen well to its customers.

Comment on Node ant

Bob Jacobson — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:02:09 -0400

Good article, thoughtful comments.

The "socialism" tag isn't as off-base as some commenters make it out to be. Modern socialist theory and John Chambers' theory aren't that far apart. It's dogmatic to associate socialism only with the Soviet model of state socialism or our own sad experience with corporate socialism in the financial sector. Applying Cisco's model to socialism would improve it as much as it will improve management and innovation in a corporate setting. Smart is smart in any context.

Comment on Node ant

Bob Jacobson — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:00:57 -0400

Good article, thoughtful comments.

The "socialism" tag isn't as off-base as some commenters make it out to be. Modern socialist theory and John Chambers' theory aren't that far apart. Its dogmatic to associate socialism only with the Soviet model of state socialism or our own sad experience with corporate socialism in the financial sector. Applying Cisco's model to socialism would improve it as much as it will improve management and innovation in a corporate setting. Smart is smart in any context.

Comment on Node ant

Bob Jacobson — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:17:15 -0400

Let's be real. MyBo essentially automated a conventional political campaign process. When individuals and groups tried to modify the site's operations, either technologically or through their behavior, if it didn't complement the campaign's goals, they were marginalized. The ability to do lateral communications without going through MyBo was virtually impossible. Now, when horizontal, not vertical organizing is required -- for example, to champion the President's budget or to take autonomous action on local projects -- the system can't handle it.