From Common Sense To One Common Language

Nowadays there is so much information. And there is so much about information. Let us simplify!

• Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense. - Gertrude Stein
• It is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information. - Oscar Wilde

Alongside the overabundance it is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information. Given the two considerations – the dilemma facing every organization is whether to rely on common sense or to percolate a common language. Clearly there is no control over consistent and correct common sense being applied across individuals and teams – and this also varies across situations. Moreover, there is high risk of misinterpretation, ambiguities and disconnects. Hence in business context it is wise not to rely on common sense to consistently produce the desired results.

There is such a heavy supply of information now that the expectation to keep everything in mind is entirely irrational. Moreover it is not humanly possible to know everything, what works instead is to know where to find the information when needed. Quoting Albert Einstein, "Intelligence is not the ability to store information, but to know where to find it".

Increasing emphasis on information in the current times reflects its rising power and the endless potential it holds. Also, as the information economy overlaps with the digital age, the paradigm has shifted to information on demand. Every enterprise now needs a clear information strategy - One that embeds effective triggers to unleash the true advantage from instant information.

To define the strategy framework, let us look at five Ws and one H.

1. When does the user need information? It is very much at the time of need – that means now.
2. Similarly, answer to where is here that is at the point of need.
3. What? Right information that is accurate and complete.
4. Who? Requires both the source and the recipient to be reliable.
5. Why? Demands information to be Relevant to meet the defined purpose – and be value generating for the user while it contributes towards overall business goals.
6. Lastly and most important in this case, how? Digital age has completely redefined user behaviours towards convenience being the driver of how they want information. Hence it is imperative to create an ease of access and use to achieve the desired outcomes.

From a user's point of view, how do we want information? Minds are capable of absorbing a lot of information like a vacuum. But what is important is how much of that inspires action. For that patterns reflect that minds open only at the point of need and time of need. Shrinking attention spans demand precise information. Minds need only that information that is directly linked to the current purpose and simply discards the rest.

• Our minds are information vacuums
• Need is the key that opens our minds
• Shrinking attention spans want it precise

In conclusion, getting timely information, makes it actionable. After all, "Better You Know, Better You Do". So if information equals opportunity, then instant makes this opportunity real.

Therefore instant info is the pathway for common language to deliver the correct, consistent and coherent outcomes.