Value Levers in the Not-For-Profit organisation Wikipedia

In previous blog posts I have covered Social Media Value Levers in commercial organisations. While there is a lot to learn from commercial organisations we can also analyse how non-profit organisations use Social Media Value Levers to their own advantage. I have chosen to analyse Wikipedia, who as pretty much everyone on the internet would know provide a free encyclopaedia service for the Internet. If you have ever researched something through google chances are a wikipedia page was right at the top of the results. Wikipedia was not always a bastion of information and knowledge, as it is sourced one hundred percent by the community in its early days it there was much disinformation and many incorrect facts. 

The Social Media Value Levers used by Wikipedia can be summed into four main social technologies:

• Collecting Information and Insights
• Gathering information for their service
• Crowdsourcing resources and solutions

• Mobile Resources
• Fundraising
• Creating and expanding volunteer networks
• Retaining support

• Executing their Mission
• Educating the public
• Engaging with supporters

• Social as Organisational Technology
• Improve collaboration and communication
• Rapid organising

Wikipedia uses crowdsourcing for their collection of information for their articles. Any user can contribute to the website and the article will be flagged for experienced volunteers to look over to validate. This allows Wikipedia to generate accurate and insightful information for their high quality articles.

Another Social Media technology that Wikipedia embraces is the use of Mobile Resources. Wikipedia's volunteers are built off of an intuitive discussion environment which allows users to get involved in the research that they are interested in. This allows their volunteers to engage in their fields of research and become dynamic members of the Wikipedia volunteer group which allows Wikipedia to have a large amount of volunteers.

Wikipedia is able to execute their mission of educating the public and engaging in historical discussion through the use of social media value levers. Wikipedia has achieved their mission by educating millions through using their service. 

In conclusion Wikipedia uses Social Media Value Levers to great effect in establishing their online presence.