11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era: Nilofer Merchant: Amazon.com: Kindle Store

The era of social technologies provides seemingly endless opportunity, both for individuals and organizations. But it’s also the subject of seemingly endless hype. Yes, social tools allow us to do things entirely differently—but how do you really capitalize on that?

In 11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era, the newest in Harvard Business Review’s line of digital books (HBR Singles), social strategist and insightful blogger Nilofer Merchant argues that “social” is much more than “media.” Smart companies are letting social become the backbone of their business models, increasing their speed and flexibility by pursuing openness and fluidity. These organizations don’t operate like the powerful “800-pound gorillas” of yesteryear—but instead act more like a herd of 800 gazelles, moving together across a savannah, outrunning the competition.

This ebook offers new rules for creating value, leading, and innovating in our rapidly changing world. These social era rules are both provocative and grounded in reality—they cover thorny challenges like forsaking hierarchy and control for collaboration; getting the most out of all talent; allowing your customers to become co-creators in your organization; inspiring employees through purpose in a world where money alone no longer wields that power; and soliciting community investment in an idea so that it can take hold and grow.

The strategies of the Industrial Era—or even the Information Age—will not be enough for the Social Era. Read 11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era to get ready to meet the challenges of this new age and thrive.

HBR Singles provide brief yet potent business ideas, in digital form, for today's thinking professional.

Editorial Reviews

Named a “Best Business Book of 2012” by Fast Company

“Ms. Merchant's new work provides a provocative vision of the future of both what organizations and what work might look like, yet grounded in real businesses today…this will inspire ideas and thought about what running a business really means.” — Forbes.com

“Every CEO, CMO, and decision maker needs to read this. Nilofer has taken a high-level concept and made it abundantly clear how to implement this big idea.” — Tara Hunt, cofounder and CEO, Buyosphere; author, The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business

“A rare combination: strategic, well researched, and actionable. Nilofer Merchant helps executives see what’s at stake in the connection economy.” — Seth Godin, author, Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing Out of Sync?

“Traditional strategy is dead. But do not fear—Nilofer Merchant shows how your organization can thrive with the new rules of the Social Era. Buy yourself a copy—and one for every member of your board.” — Charlene Li, founder, Altimeter Group; author, Open Leadership: How Social Technology Can Transform the Way You Lead; and coauthor, Groundswell

“Social media is not about hooking up online. It’s becoming a new means of production and engagement. Nilofer lays out her enormously helpful ‘11 Rules’ to embrace the Social Era.” — Don Tapscott, coauthor, Macrowikinomics: Rebooting Business and the World

“Pay attention to Nilofer Merchant. Or risk obsolescence.” — Dave Gray, Senior Vice President, Dachis Group

“Nilofer Merchant nails it in this important and timely book. It’s an insightful road map. through the new world of business that embraces openness, stability, sustainable advantages, profitability, and the new value chain. It’s all here for you to devour. I hope you’re hungry.” — Mitch Joel, P...

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

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“ The book is an easy read with concepts that stick at the first reading. ” A. Roth | 10 reviewers made a similar statement

“ Opened my eyes to a whole new world and now I have the tools to really succeed in the social era. ” Mari | 11 reviewers made a similar statement

“ I'm telling everyone I know about this book. ” GLABNE | 8 reviewers made a similar statement

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Social is a way of life, not a buzzword September 12, 2012

By Deb Mills-Scofield

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Nilofer has written a wonderful book about the new era in which we are living and working. Finally, it seems we are `getting it' in the 21st C - that everything is social. Nilofer integrates the social aspects of individuals - as humans, employees, consumers - with institutions and their various traditional silos and segments. She stresses the "AND/BOTH" and disrupts the false choice of "Either/Or".

One of her most powerful concepts, at least to me, is "Onlyness". It implies a sense of value and contribution by and for each human being - something that was lost in the 20th C. Nilofer balances the needs and importance of the aggregate with the individual - an imperative in this social era.

If you want understand, leverage and contribute to the social era, then please read Nilofer's book. It doesn't matter if you're in the C-Suite, the plant floor, the soccer mom, the government worker - as long as you're a human being living on this planet, there will be something for you. And, as you progress on your journey of finding and providing value in this new era, you'll want to reread 11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era".

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If Traditional Strategy Is Dead, What's Next? September 12, 2012

By Ruth Ann Harnisch

Nilofer writes the obit for T.S. (Traditional Strategy) and announces the birth of the New.
Disclosure: the author's considerable expertise has transformed the business strategies of several people with whom I've worked. They credit her with teaching them how to think about business. Those of us with gray hair can be grateful to Nilofer for telling us what's new, what's now and what's next.

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential handbook for the social era September 12, 2012

By Tim Kastelle

Too often when we think 'social', we complete the thought with 'media'. This is an essential update and extension to New Rules for the New Economy by Kevin Kelly. It's not enough to ask people to like you on Facebook - social interactions have the potential to change nearly all parts of the way we do business. The book addresses how the social era of business changes HR, service, finance, products, distribution, supply chain management, sales, marketing and innovation. The implications of this are significant, and Nilofer does a great job of drawing them out.

I know and respect Nilofer, so take that into account. On the other hand, if you read this review and hate the book, that reflects on me, and I'm very well aware of that as well. These are some of the issues that arise when you start taking social into account. It's not straightforward, and the book provides a useful roadmap for navigating some of these issues. It also includes a number of very practical exercises that you can work through to apply the ideas that are discussed.

If you're grappling with the implications of the increase in the interconnectedness that is driven by the internet, then this book is essential reading.