We wrote this book to help senior executives and managers understand the power of social media for learning. While developing this content, we used a variety of social tools to reach out to individuals and organizations for their insights and stories. We deeply appreciate the contributions of Kevin Renner at Chevron; Geoff Fowler, Don Burke, and Sean Dennehy at the CIA; Patricia Romeo at Deloitte; Jamie Pappas at EMC; Graham Brown-Martin at Learning Without Frontiers; Monty Flinsch at Mayo Clinic; Dan Pontefract at TELUS; and the more than 80 organizations and thought leaders who shared their expertise with us so that we could share it with you. By describing their challenges and successes, the examples included in this book demonstrate the tremendous impact social media can have in companies and for communities, and for those who engage with them. We hope their examples inspire you as much as they have inspired us.
In addition, John Seely Brown, Howard Rheingold, Nancy White, Judee Humberg, Stowe Boyd, Andrea Baker, Etienne Wenger, and Andy McAfee continued to illuminate our path. Doug Newburg, Steve LeBlanc, and Wayne Hodgins ensured overarching themes rang true in the heart as well as the intellect. Practitioners who graciously furthered this topic included Jane Bozarth, Aaron Silvers, Koreen Olbrish, Paula Thornton, Luis Suarez, Ellen Wagner, Stan Garfield, Luis Benitez, Mark Oehlert, Jane Hart, and Jay Cross.
Marcia also wants to thank Jennifer, Anya, Karey, Connie, April, Christine, Valerie, and Lisa, who provided encouragement and support to create the space for writing while their children reminded her that socialness is not secondary to or separate from learning. Laura Fitton and Linda Ziffrin created an oasis filled with tender care and humor. Her husband, Karl, provided compassion, patience, and understanding in a way that proved diplomacy can exist amid last-minute meals, late-night conversations, and laptop-laden vacations.
The teams at ASTD and Berrett-Koehler exemplified a true partnership. Jennifer Homer, specifically, was herculean as she lifted our loads, managing the process, organizing the troops, and offering kind words at precisely the right time. Pat Galagan turned big ideas into consumable passages, and Tora Estep smoothed out our words.
For this particular journey we want to thank more than the people we interacted with directly. We also owe thanks to those who envisioned and developed the social tools that augmented our work. This process hummed along with the aide of MacBooks, ThinkPads, iPads, iPhones, Twitter, Facebook, Google Docs, MindManager, Socialcast, and Socialtext.
Together this extraordinary team made quick work of a daunting task, and we will be appreciative forever.
