Business Excellence Consortium

Web 2.0: Getting Business Connected

Why should a business be interested in Web 2.0? Isn't that MySpace and Facebook?

Web 2.0 applications go beyond what most people think about when it is mentioned. In addition to social networking, Web 2.0 includes instant messaging and presence, WIKI, and blogs with applications in product and service development, customer support, marketing, sales, technical support, new idea generation, user community building, expertise location, marketing research, and organizational learning.

The BEC is offering a two-hour session to help you discover some of the potential uses of this set of web applications that is sweeping the business landscape. We will look at existing applications and examine some of the actual benefits that can be achieved through the use of this low-cost, easy-to-deploy technology.

Seminar Content:

• Overview of Web 2.0 pplications
• Review of existing applications and the business benefits of each
• "Real-Time" web tour of blogs, WIKIs, and social networking applications
• "Behind the scenes" look at the administration of Web 2.0
• Discussion of measuring the business benefit and impact

Who Should Attend?

Anyone in a management position who wishes to learn the business side of these web-based tools. Any functional area person who is charged with engaging company personnel, customers, and business partners in conversation for the purpose of making the firm more productive and competitive using real-time information.

Upon Completion, You Will:

• Have a practical business understanding of Web 2.0 applications
• Understand the differences between Web 2.0 applications such as WIKI, blogs, etc.
• Understand why Web 2.0 is a business imperative inside and outside the firm
• Understand how to manage (administer) a basic Web 2.0 application
• Understand how to measure the benefits of Web 2.0 applications

About The Instructor

Gene Wright has been managing and building web applications including global e-business applications since 1994. He is a successful global entrepreneur and international businessperson, having worked for and owned multi-national firms with functional responsibility in engineering, marketing, sales, e-business, information technology and operations for over 25 years. He has taught marketing, strategy, and product management courses in MSOE's Rader School of Business for 20 years. He holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from MSOE as well as undergraduate degrees in enginering technology and industrial management.