I just finished reading a great article about Web 2.0 in BusinessWeek. The main point was that Web 2.0 technologies have all CEOs spinning because they cede control from the enterprise and their leaders and give it to their crowds -- e.g. customers, employees, partners and investors. Given that I am a CEO, I understand their pain.  In short, I was trained at an Ivy League business school, have worked for major enterprises as an executive and have started small companies as their leader. Each time, I was in control. And although I don't like to admit it -- I like control -- not sharing it.  And it's been like that for me for a long time -– since kindergarten in fact. And the reason is simple –- I'm a guy. And I have been trained to obtain and leverage control to create benefit, regardless of where I worked -- including McKinsey & Company, the Hancock and Arthur Andersen.   But Web 2.0 changes all that because Web 2.0 technologies empower the 'crowd' and not the leader or enterprise. Given this reality, here is my simple view of what all CEOs should do, regardless of gender -- SHARE:

   
1. First, sharing does not result in a loss of control. In fact, it often fosters commitment and loyalty. A McKinsey & Company study revealed that companies who built customer communities, enabling individuals to share their experiences and insights directly and cost-effectively, have customers that are twice as loyal, and buy almost twice as much, as those companies that don't.
        
   
2. Second, sharing does not destroy value; it increases value. Deloitte confirmed that companies who link their business processes with their trading partners produce greater profits than those organizations that do not. In addition, companies who collaborate achieve the following increases: 19 percent in process flexibility; 17 percent in delivery speeds; and 16 percent in customer satisfaction.
        
   
3. Third, sharing does not emasculate leaders and their skills.  It enhances them. In an information-rich society, leaders need to create authentic [naked] conversations with everyone, or risk losing everything. Because in the end, if you don't, you will have nothing left including your customers, employees and partners who will have moved on, due to the power that Web 2.0 gives them.

So what's the answer? You know it -- 'start sharing' if you really want to succeed in Business 2.0.   And the secret for sharing requires a combination of today's tools (Web 2.0 technologies), people, processes and content -- all facilitated and moderated by someone you trust.  Remember, in the end, sharing is where it's at. It's what got us all here in the first place.

- Barry 6/9/06