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Nokia Beta Labs
What do big wave surfers and us beta folks have in common?
Wed, 2008-02-06 10:51
I really enjoyed the latest article titled Innovating on the Edge of Big Waves by John Hagel. In the article, Mr.Hagel describes eloquently what business executives can learn from big wave surfers. Thought you might like it too.
To summarize the bottom line:
"So, what can business executives learn from the experiences of these intrepid surfers?
First, if you want to push your performance levels, find the relevant edge. ...
Second, attract motivated groups of people to these edges to work together around challenging performance issues. ...
Third, recognize that the people who are likely to be attracted to the edge are big risk-takers. ...
Fourth, recognize that the edge fosters not just risk-taking, but very different cultures that are also “edgy”. ...
Fifth, find ways to appropriate insights from adjacent disciplines and even more remote areas of activity. ...
Sixth, bring users and developers of technology closely together at the edge. ...
Finally, executives could profit from understanding the loose practice network that evolved around big wave surfing. ..."
Read the whole story. Very relevant stuff for us beta folks.
"Wouldn’t using Beta Labs for testing betas of mainstream apps be a win-win, in the same way that it is for new apps???"
No.
It only makes sense if the 3 bloggers represent the target market.
Most don't. So phone bloggers tell Nokia what they want to hear, which creates a feedback loop.
You would be better beta testing with three random people in Helsinki - and Mr Hagel is laughing all the way to the bank.
I can't see anywhere for posting this comment, so I'll have to put it here.
There's lots of publicity about Nokia Maps 2.0 being in beta.
Why isn't it available for us to donwload and test here, then?
Is there a need for Beta Labs to be better enbedded within Nokia's wider organisation - it seems like it.
Wouldn't using Beta Labs for testing betas of mainstream apps be a win-win, in the same way that it is for new apps???
Heh, did you read the news today Geoff?
The Maps team wanted to give a 3-day preview for a couple of trusted bloggers, before this public Beta Labs launch. I think such procedure makes sense at least in major mainstream initiatives like Maps.