A different kind of API
November 17th, 2006
Since I keep up with new developments in technology, I am always seeing new information on APIs or application programming interfaces. Wikipedia defines an API as “the interface that a computer system, library or application provides in order to allow requests for services to be made of it by other computer programs, and/or to allow data to be exchanged between them.” Basically, an API is code provided by technology companies, including Google and Amazon, that makes it possible for web developers to create new applications.
I want to suggest is that associations need to think about APIs as well: association participation interfaces. Adapting the Wikipedia definition above, here is what I mean:
The interface that an association creates to enable genuine collaboration and engagement through the exchange of intellectual and social capital between and among individual, collective and organizational contributors.
I’m short on time this evening, so I won’t be developing this idea further right now. But I wanted to put it out there, in the hope that we can begin a conversation around how associations enable, support and sustain participation. I think the notion of an association participation interface, something specifically designed, developed and implemented by our organizations, is an idea we should explore. It raises many questions and many exciting possibilities. I look forward to your initial comments, ideas and suggestions!
Entry Filed under: Principled Innovation Blog, What's New?, Social Media, Innovation, Associations, Extreme Makeover, The Association Innovator, We Have Always Done It That Way, Google
Ben Martin and P.I.
Association exec Ben Martin, CAE is P.I.’s Architect of Participation. Jeff and Ben help clients harness the power of the Web through the strategic application of social tools.
New P.I. workshop
You may now register for The P.I. Business Model Innovation Workshop, which will take place on September 28-29, 2010, in Arlington, Virginia.
