On this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, hosts Asher Mathew & Kelly Sarabyn engage in a compelling discussion on the impacts of social media. They are joined by author Tobias Rose-Stockwell, known for his book "Outrage Machine,"

Tobias, a seasoned researcher in technology's societal impacts, shares insights gathered over a decade of study. His expertise sheds light on how platforms like Slack can disrupt workplace dynamics and productivity.

The episode delves into the complexities of social media's influence, exploring themes of workplace disruption, productivity challenges, and strategies for enhancing online trust and fact-checking. Listeners gain valuable insights into navigating the evolving landscape of social media and its broader implications.

Chapters -

00:00 - Social media's impact on workplace productivity and interpersonal relationships.

7:56 - How digital communication changes social dynamics in the workplace.

12:38 - How social media impacts moral emotions and mental health.

16:32 - Social media companies' ethical issues and how they prioritize engagement over morality.

21:03 - LinkedIn's algorithm and its impact on content visibility and toxicity.

27:51 - LinkedIn algorithm and content optimization.

31:50 - Creating and managing online communities, with a focus on engagement and outcomes.

35:30 - Content moderation challenges in social media platforms.

39:19 - Improving social media fact-checking through community-driven, AI-augmented platforms.

43:35 - Building trust in social media with a focus on verification engines and trust and safety teams.

Key Takeaways -

• Social media platforms like Slack can negatively impact workplace productivity and creativity due to constant distractions and performance-based interactions

• Writing text removes non-verbal cues and context, making online communication more open to misinterpretation compared to in-person interactions

• Prioritizing engagement alone can incentivize the spread of misinformation over truthful information on social media

• Community-driven fact-checking and citations from reputable sources can help combat viral misinformation spread on social media platforms

• The concept of building a "market for trust" by prioritizing validated information over viral hits in the long run could create more value for social media platforms

Key Quotes -

"I feel like LinkedIn is really changing. When I first started using it, it was a straightforward network where people had small circles. Now it seems like there are ccircles within circles. Different content is shown to different people, even in different countries. There was this creative explosion initially, but now every week I hear people frustrated because their reach and impressions are down. It feels like we've fallen into the situation you're describing." - Asher Mathew

"There's some really interesting research and history regarding LinkedIn's efforts to make its feed less toxic. Back in the day, most social media platforms didn't even have a news feed. When LinkedIn started, it was more about who you were connected to rather than having a feed. They implemented a feed early on, but then they actually turned it off due to spikes in garbage content, spam, and other issues typical of user-generated content networks. After a hiatus, they restarted the feed, around 2017 if I remember correctly, in a read-only format. They also selected specific influencers who could post to the feed, aiming for global reach with a small number of chosen influencers in the early days." - Tobias Rose-Stockwell

"I do think Wikipedia is a great example. People perceive it as very neutral, right? I've never heard anyone say, 'Wikipedia has a liberal bias' or something like that. It just comes across as neutral. I think it's hopeful that this neutrality can be embedded into social networks." - Kelly Sarabyn

On this episode of the Unlearn Podcast, hosts Asher and Kelly connect with Louise McEvoy, Vice President of US Channel Sales at Trend Micro. Louise shares her insights on building channel programs while balancing a demanding career with her passion for mountain climbing. The discussion covers topics such as obtaining executive buy-in for new models, modernizing competencies for channel leaders, and prioritizing tasks as a busy executive. The speakers explore adapting to changing market conditions, rethinking success metrics, and focusing on revenue growth, program development, and team support amid industry transformations. This conversation provides valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing partnership executives in today's digital landscape.

Chapters -

00:00 - Balancing demanding career and non-career pursuits with a mountaineer.

06:20 - Transforming a channel through relationships and ecosystems.

10:06 - Unlearning traditional channel models and adopting new strategies for value creation.

15:55 - Transforming business models in the tech industry.

20:34 - Partner strategy, executive buy-in, and market shifts.

26:26 - Leveraging marketplaces for ISVs to resell products without embedding another ISV's product.

31:21 - Marketplaces, bundling, and corporate sponsorship.

38:06 - Modern partnership leadership competencies and evolution of roles.

46:40 - Prioritizing tasks and staying informed in a busy work environment.

Key Takeaways -

• In transforming business models, obtaining executive buy-in is crucial to mitigate disruptions across departments that may not align with the new direction.

• The evolution of partnership leadership roles now includes a broader spectrum of competencies, including influence, relationship building, and staying abreast of emerging market trends and tools.

• Effective strategies were discussed for achieving work-life balance by leveraging employer support, such as flexible time off and a culture of trust in employees.

• In modernizing channel models, speakers highlighted the effectiveness of combining traditional, transformational, and blue ocean strategies to adapt to evolving market conditions.

• Insightful techniques were shared for executives to prioritize tasks, focusing on areas such as revenue growth, program development, and team support.

Key Quotes-

“It's crucial to prioritize collaboration with finance teams and ensure they're well-informed. Finance teams can benefit from a deeper understanding of our business operations. Taking an operational approach and working closely with them to clarify processes is essential for seamless workflow. This clarity helps prevent future support challenges and enhances overall efficiency." - Asher Mathew

"Regarding ISVs, I see the value in integrating with their ecosystems. Take Trend Micro, for instance. We offer a unified platform with various modules and services. For customers using platforms that lack certain security aspects, our integrations with ISVs provide seamless extensions rather than requiring a complete overhaul. This approach avoids the complexity of enabling multiple products and ensures efficient integration that simply works." - Louise McEvoy