FASTforward’09 Interview: Euan Semple, independent advisor on social computing
by Joshua-Michéle Ross
Euan, who participated in the wrap-up panel discussion at FASTforward’09 with Jevon, Jon, and Lynda, discusses his effort at the BBC, as director of knowledge management, and since to put the emphasis on “connecting people and helping them have conversations with each other [rather] than about helping them search for other people’s badly written, out of date documents.” Euan touches on the sophisticated and subtle ways in which people search, find and use information, the “non-trivial” challenge of getting employees to engage, who’s often purchasing and owning the products that companies are using (and the attendant downside of that), and more.
BIO: Euan Semple is an independent advisor on social computing for business. He is a well known writer, thinker and public speaker on the subject and in recognition of his many accomplishments he was voted Information Professional Of The Year (2005) by Information World Review. Euan pioneered the use of weblogs, wikis and online forums while at the BBC and his work there continues to enable staff to work more effectively and more collaboratively across the entire organisation. While at the BBC Euan also worked on their award winning leadership programme and gained unparalleled experience in how to engage and inspire people with the possibilities of social computing as a business tool. Since going independent Euan has worked with wide range of clients including the NHS, BP, AIG Insurance, Bell Pottinger PR, ARM Processor Design Cambridge and Scottish Enterprise. He has also run workshops for The World Health Organisation, the UN and The British Council. He can be reached at euansemple.com and his blog is The Obvious?.
