Apparently, IBM has been experimenting with Second Life, using it to test a number of virtual human resource and organizational development functions. The one I found most interesting? The mentoring community:
In the United States, we’re using Second Life to create a mentoring community. So if you’re interested in talking to somebody who has 25 years in the business, we’ve built a connection environment–a social-networking tool where you profile yourself, then meet in Second Life. We have multigenerational workforces, and this is a way to get together, virtually meet, and connect. We’re seeing very senior IBMers swimming and flying next to people who have been in the business 10 months. The only thing I can tell you is, they seem pleased to be meeting this way.
Read more about IBM’s Second Life experiments in “Getting A Second Life.”
3 responses so far ↓
Steve Woodward // Mar 16, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Thanks for the pointer to the IBM article. Do you folks use Second Life yourselves? I’ve met a few Oregonians there, but none who use it for business reasons. I’m writing an article about it for The Oregonian’s Living section.
Rick Turoczy // Mar 16, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Steve,
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Much appreciated.
I don’t currently know anyone here in Portland who is using Second Life as part of a larger business strategy.
As for me, I haven’t really seen the right opportunity to use it. That’s why this mentoring application was so interesting. It seems like a viable way to use that virtual reality to improve a process that is ineffective or difficult to manage in the real world, for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps some other Portlanders or Oregonians who swing by will take the time to comment? (He says, crossing his fingers.)
Steve Woodward // Mar 16, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Yeah, the mentoring app really is fascinating. You also might be interested in seeing this YouTube video, which shows a re-creation of a block of NW 21st Avenue in Portland in SL. The creator, who goes by the name Ty Magpie, made it as an introduction for Portlanders to SL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I5AvP6RpEI
Leave a Comment