Comments on: Social networks and engineering serendipity in the workplace https://rossdawson.com/social-networks-and-engineering-serendipity-in-the-workplace/ Keynote speaker | Futurist | Strategy advisor Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Ross Dawson https://rossdawson.com/social-networks-and-engineering-serendipity-in-the-workplace/#comment-3996 Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:15:00 +0000 https://rossdawson.com/?p=6159#comment-3996 In reply to John Hagel.

Thanks John! For a long time I used the term ‘enhancing serendipity’, as it suggests that serendipity is already at work, but we can increase its amplitude or scope. ‘Shaping’ serendipity is perhaps a step more ambitious than that but hopefully achievable.

I absolutely agree that ‘engineering’ serendipity is too mechanistic a phrase, but it is probably one that will appeal to many of the executives who need to take these ideas on board. The phrase is a communication device that hopefully will help reach those who think that serendipity is too fluffy a concept. Then you can adjust the language and frame once you have them hooked :-)

]]> By: John Hagel https://rossdawson.com/social-networks-and-engineering-serendipity-in-the-workplace/#comment-3995 Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000 https://rossdawson.com/?p=6159#comment-3995 I too share your interest in our ability to influence serendipity. I prefer the term shaping serendipity rather than engineering serendipity because the latter sounds too deterministic and if it is pre-designed/determined it ceases to be unexpected. Shaping calls out our ability to materially alter the probability of high quality unexpected encounters without pre-determining them. I discuss how many of our choices shape serendipity here https://bit.ly/VVz4k4

]]> By: Network Management https://rossdawson.com/social-networks-and-engineering-serendipity-in-the-workplace/#comment-3994 Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:48:00 +0000 https://rossdawson.com/?p=6159#comment-3994 Social media has done a great deal in terms of managing your network and tying it up with the latest social network network trends. Yahoo and Google are two useful tools that you can utilize and use for free.

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