It wasn't a surprise to see networking expansionist Cisco buying Flip, the popular video camcorder (though the price tag was steep especially given Cisco's recent stock decline). The logic is simple:
- Cisco sells networking gear.
- It needs customers to want to buy more gear.
- Video generates 10 or 1,000 times the bandwidth needs as anything else.
- Anything that generates video bits will fuel Cisco's growth.
- Flip makes a product that has captivated on people's facination with video storytelling.
- Cisco buys Pure Digital for its Flip and consumer brand. QED.
What's more important for Information & Knowledge Management professionals, the folks responsible for managing content and provisioning the workforce with collaboration and authoring tools, is that Cisco has given them another tool to add video to the wealth of information that employees can capture and share.
Coupled with an internal, secure "YouTube for the enterprise," video is a powerful tool for:
- Giving execs a direct link with information workers. This drives John Chamber's personal interest in video.
- Capturing knowledge through personal storytelling.Especially from retiring employees.
- Celebrating sales wins to inspire and teach. Especially when new sales techniques are found.
- Training the world on product features. Introducing the field to a new product upgrade.
- Training employees on everything. A bonanza for employee development officers.
- Working better with partners. Agencies making a pitch, for example.
Cisco can harness the Flip channel, add more authoring tools that help make Flip video business-ready, link video into its WebEx Connect platform, and probably tap into personal video conferencing.
Have other scenarios that Cisco is now able to help support with Flip? Please let us know.
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