Social networks and innovation

Are social networks a key to innovation? Thomas Friedman thinks so. Writing in the New York Times, he says, “…today’s knowledge industries are all being built on social networks that enable open collaboration, the free sharing of ideas and the formation of productive relationships - both within companies and around the globe. The logic is that all of us are smarter than one of us, and the unique feature of today’s flat world is that you can actually tap the brains and skills of all of us, or at least more people in more places. Companies and countries that enable that will thrive more than those that don’t.”

Friedman goes on to quote SRI International CEO Curtis Carlson: “In a world where so many people now have access to education and cheap tools of innovation, innovation that happens from the bottom up tends to be chaotic but smart. Innovation that happens from the top down tends to be orderly but dumb.”

Friedman is commenting in the context of the prospects for bottom-up innovation in China given the government’s propensity to regulate or prohibit social networks. But skepticism about social networking could hinder bottom-up innovation in the US as well. In an interview with EDN managing editor for news Suzanne Deffree, Deirdre Walsh, social-media and community manager at National Instruments, said she is frequently asked, “Why should I care about Twitter?” or “Is Facebook really for business?”

Walsh cited five reasons you should use social networks: get help with support and technical problems, advance your career, be heard (tell your vendors what you want and need), stay connected with peers, and become famous.

Maybe fame isn’t your goal, but you ignore the other four reasons at your peril.