Deep Bench Profile 1: Filiberto Selvas

I don't remember anymore exactly how I met Filiberto but I believe it was from a recommendation in the form of - "oh if you are interested in the social enterprise space, you should definitely get to know Filiberto." At the time, he was working with the Microsoft Office Live communities and I was an analyst at IDC. While out at Microsoft for a work-related engagement, I met Filiberto (and also Lawrence Liu) on a sunny day in Redmond and had a fabulous chat at a picnic table. Since that time both Filiberto and I moved into different roles and I've kept up with him primarily through his blog and Twitter stream. I consider Filiberto to be one of the few who have operationalized community for a major product and as such, a rare bread of person who understands the strategic, practical, and operational elements of being a social organization.

So, in his own words:

What part of the social web world are you most fascinated by and why?

Hard to keep the answer to this to one, so I will post two briefly:

I am fascinated by the participants and their natural tendency to help each other. It increases my faith in our chances as a race to see how, once and again, people reach out to each other to provide an answer, to cheer, to support.

I am fascinated by the incredible volume of data and metadata that is generated by all of those participants; the participants, objects of their interest (articles, videos, etc.), and complex / interesting relationships among all of the above offer an opportunity for many different type of implementations, we have only scratched the surface so far (said in other way: Social does not begin and end with friends; which is all we have focused on so far).

What are you passionate about and what motivates that passion?

I believe social networking / media will lead to better understanding among all participant parties: individuals, companies, governments, schools, etc. This will lead to better products (in the most ample meaning of the word, those can be laws, education curriculums, etc.) that are created for true needs (expressed or inferred,) and this will lead to a better world. I believe social networking / media is my way to make this a better world.  

If you could construct your own job who would you be working with? For whom? On what problems?

I would work for myself; helping many to understand and apply the possibilities of Social Media / Social Networking. I would select the best causes / companies to partner with and make sure that I help advance those that truly care about their customers and intend to service them.

Since you can't always make up a job that will support you - what are you looking for next?

In the short term I am seeking opportunities to consult and contract with companies of all sizes; I am hoping to establish connection / agreements with different type of companies: from agencies to consulting firms to solution developers to brands that want to apply social media but don’t have the resources or can’t invest in the resources in house yet.

What project/activity from past jobs gave you the most joy?

I once was responsible for product planning for guidance content in Microsoft; basically we sought standard patterns of application of technology where clients seemed to be getting it wrong (not their fault; the instructions were unavailable). Once we identified these patterns we found subject matter expertise (inside and outside of Microsoft) and developed the documented guidance on what technology to use, how and with what constrains. We identified a need, identified the best suited to address it and made it all come together; that was sweet!  Also: it was through this job that I came in contact with Online communities and I fell in love with them; this was back in 2001.

What non-work related activities make you the happiest?

An intellectually stimulating conversation, while enjoying a good glass of wine. I enjoy exercising the brain thinking in unorthodox ways and learning about seemingly unrelated spaces and areas of interest to my own.

What's your most amusing work-related story?

Back in late 93 I was sitting at my desk in Microsoft Mexico meeting with someone; and then I saw this beautiful lady walk by.. I couldn’t contain myself; I stood up and went after her leaving the gentleman in my office alone and perplexed (something completely unlike me). Today I am happily married to that beautiful lady and I can’t understand my life without her; I do believe there is someone up there looking out for me.

What are your thoughts about the US economy and what is going on?

I think we have changed behavior patterns; maybe too far to the cautious side: people are afraid and saving because of that, which in turn affects producers which in turn gets more people laid off which in turn makes more people afraid and cautious...It is going to be very difficult to break this cycle; I do think it is possible but it will take time and some really strong “jump start” shocks applied by entities (Governments likely) that have the kind of resources to make it happen

Anything else?

Being in this uncomfortable position has helped me to rediscover how much I have that does not depend on money or having a job; my family, my friends, my belief in my own capabilities and all I can produce with them.. I hope others can come to this realization as well without having to go through this shock.

You can find more about Filiberto at his blog, Social CRM or on Twitter @FilibertoSelvas

Comments

[Artotems Co.]

With One Person

I spent a great deal of time interacting with Filiberto from the vantage point of a user through the Office Live platform. When you say he operationalized Social Media through it you are right. In fact he fought to bend the unwieldy structure of MS to bring them along and to very good effect. He was a "the" key player for the outside world with Office Live. Since his departure much of the headway gained has been lost. This of course only shows yet again that one person can truly make a big difference.

[peter]

Thanks for the info!