Information Overload

How individuals respond to the communication overload issue varies dramatically from person to person and organization to organization. In some cases every communication is operational and actionable. There’s no sense of overload here and any redundant or irrelevant material is rigorously excluded. Typically this might be a military or strictly hierarchical operationally focused service delivery company. This is a controlled and directive working environment.


At the other end of the spectrum is the media or consultancy sector, for example, where the flow of information is open, uncontrolled and can be experienced as overwhelming. It’s in this environment that I think we can discover a strategy for survival.


People in this sector regard information as their working medium. They select what they want from a virtually infinite variety of sources creating for themselves a bespoke set of communication lines which are specifically tailored to their needs. They pick and choose what they need and what is relevant. They are effectively a self-segmenting audience in technical communication terms. I think these two dimensions highlight essential factors in the 'information overload' debate.


There’s a gap between the “push” side of communications - the transmission mode; and the creation of a “pull” culture where people are supported in taking ownership of their own information needs. As communicators, we should recognize the evolving digital media world as our new operating environment. In a bid to gain organizational transparency, we need to change our perception of what an information-rich environment really means for individuals and organisations.


Perhaps we need to devote more time to helping people understand that an infinite flux of information is not necessarily an intimidating overload, but a unique opportunity that can be grasped with enthusiasm and energy. It is the way the world is today and we can choose to be fearful or we can adopt a positive and self-determined attitude. An attitude that says we as individuals are responsible for the information we consume. We are in control and we can take our pick.

SeeThru Business

Spending a lot of time these days talking about transparency and the impact this will have on the future shape of business.


It is digi-tech driven of course. One of the most significant developments in the last few years has been the erosion of organisational boundaries. For example, organisations fully engaged in the digital space accept that what they say internally has to match their external statement and vice versa. It is a truism, but employees are always the most avid consumers of external media comment about their business along with other key stakeholders. So it must be desirable to ensure that information and comment flows freely across organisational barriers.

Typically these organisations embrace social media , shared workspace, collaborative environments, and the smartest forms of customer relationship management and influencer marketing. All point towards openess and transparency.

This level of engagement will ultimately be the most successful. Because these organisations will be the most adaptive, creative and the most able to respond to their market place and their operating environment.

Arrival

24th January 2008 at 0410 hrs ............. Our wonderful baby is born.


And I've been living like him in present time. He is nine months old now and on the brink of walking. You will know if you have a child that he is a font of pure love and that simply to be with him or her will open a door to your soul. It is undeniable.

With Eils, my wife and my life - we have been focused on Maxim Gabriel Berrisford since the last posting - 293 days ago (as Technorati reliably informs me). It has been a deep immersion in the physical and emotional business of caring, nurturing and continuing to earn a living. Hard work, but infinitely rewarding.


He is a gem, of course. Just like my two other children Callum and Kate. Both in their twenties now, both building their lives. And both beautiful, gentle beings who love their little brother.


So that's it for now. Sorry for the sentimentality, but I had to get it out of my system. Definitely All in Favour.


Back to some tougher stuff in the next post. I won't be leaving it so long!