July 10 2009 Friday

The Intern Returns

                                                                     
[ Note from Darren - again as with Catherine's previous post I am editing for formatting and clarification purposes only (in square brackets), no content is changed ]                                                                                                                                          
                                           
In my second week with STS, I got the opportunity to spend two days at the IBM building [in Atlanta].  One of these days was a [Lotus] Quickr Proof of Technology (PoT) where I became familiar with the basics of Quickr and how it can be useful etc...

This may seem odd, but I mentioned to Lisa [Lisa is one of the BDM's at STS] that I felt like Quickr was very similar to Facebook (in some ways). Obviously, Facebook is not seen as a practical networking tool for anyone but college kids, but for my age group it is really convenient.

The first comparison I saw between the two was how creating a Quickr space is similar to making a Facebook group.  The literal comparison is not really that important, however from a marketing perspective, if you can present people with something that is familiar to them and then draw the comparisons to the new stuff, they'll be much more accepting of it.  

Also, I've never seen the generation gaps so clearly defined as at the PoT.  One slide featured 3 columns separating Gen Y (yours truly), 35-50, and the 50+ age groups in the work force.  I didn't really realize how distinctly differently these 3 groups feel about technology.  As I see it, the youngest group is the most accustomed to the pace of technology and its constant implementation.  The middle group is accepting of the "technological takeover" and the older group seems to be more wary of all the gadgets and programs that everyone is basically expected to use on a daily basis.

Basically what I am getting at with the Facebook thing is that if you can sit someone down and say "Oh look- its just like making a 'group' only in Quickr we call it a 'space'" I see no reason why they wouldn't want to know more. The unknown and "older" (no offense) IBM technology just seems to scare people.

I'm sure this is nothing too insightful, but I am definitely learning a lot in the short time I have been here.
Catherine Sanders   |   July 10 2009 08:55:54 AM   |    intern    |  
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1 - Darren Duke    http://blog.darrenduke.net    07/10/2009 11:31:42 AM

Someone needs to change this slide....I'm 37 (I think) and I am without a doubt the most technologically advanced person I know.

Jeez, I'm <b>leading</b> the technology takeover ;)