The 'experts' of tomorrow are those who can skillfully manage information flows rather than hoard stocks of knowledge. This takes lessons from Japanese swordfighting in how to respond to continual flow of changing information and apply to social business

1. How Swordfighting Taught
Me Social Business skills
7 Lessons in Managing Flows of Knowledge
Presentation & Demos by Rawn Shah & John McGraugh, senseis
Samurai #3 says:
“You simply
have to see this
presented live!”
( at SXSW 2013
hopefully… )

2. 1. Develop a Repertoire
Tai sabaki (Body Movement)
1
2 1
2
2 1
2
1
1 2 3 4
1
• Know what & how you want
2
to engage
1 2
1
• T-shaped skills
1
5 6 2
7 8
2
• Practice, practice, practice

3. 2. Flex from the Fixed
• Start with the
known
• Be flexible - Adjust
in small degrees to
meet the situation
• Return or
Reconnect to the
known Kamae (Stances)

4. 3. Focus
• Keep a deep
focus during
interaction –
mēsen
• Also focus
immediately
after - zanshin
• Meditate &
reflect – mokuso

5. 4. Decide-Act on Instinct

6. 5. Follow Through
• Anticipate one or
more moves ahead
(your repertoire)
• Find a new position
of readiness
• Don’t simply
react, but flow
smoothly into the
next action

7. 6. Let it go
• You can’t get everything
• Dwelling on failure looses focus on the moment.
• Even a steel sword can bounce off of a grass mat

8. 7. Three “Good Jobs” + One Critique
• Acknowledge good work
• Encourage 3x more than you correct

9. Presenters & Demo team
• John McGraugh, sensei
6th Degree black belt Hiraido
4th Degree Battodo
http://theswordguy.com
John@TheSwordGuy.com
• Rawn Shah, sensei
3rd Degree Battodo
Social Business Strategist & Author
http://blogs.Forbes.com/rawnshah
@rawn