BT employees get connected with Dare2Share: Online system taps the everyday knowledge of a 100,000‐strong workforce

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how Dare2Share, an internal YouTube‐style of podcasting platform where employees can create and upload short learning nuggets for their colleagues in either video or audio format, is helping to transform learning at BT.

Design/methodology/approach

It explains the reasons for BT's adoption of Dare2Share, the form it takes and the advantages it brings.

Findings

It describes how Dare2Share enables BT employees to learn from each other by rapidly capturing and spreading learning throughout the organization in the form of podcasts, discussion threads, blogs, RSS (really simple syndication) feeds, documents, courses and portals. Any BT employee can view content on or offline and can comment on and rate each piece as well as report inaccurate content. Employees can also comment on the content and contact the author directly.

Practical implications

The paper reveals that learning is immediate, relevant and presented in the context of the work. Learning segments are short and available on various devices. High‐quality content is quickly identified and used, experts are easily discovered and contacted, and the learning experience is personalized and social.

Social implications

It highlights the value of social learning in a large organization that is placing increasing emphasis on good customer service.

Originality/value

This paper provides the inside story of the adoption of a new learning system at a company that has always been ahead of the curve in the area of learning technologies.

Citation

(2013), "BT employees get connected with Dare2Share: Online system taps the everyday knowledge of a 100,000‐strong workforce", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 21 No. 6, pp. 12-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-08-2013-0059