This document discusses several key concepts regarding cross-channel ecosystems: - Ecosystems are defined by actors and are transient structures like performances, not static like buildings. - Elements can represent both touchpoints and actors, depending on the ecosystem and goals. - Touchpoints can belong to multiple channels, creating seams that allow actors to move across channels. - Channels transmit information and can include both digital and physical spaces. Good seams are needed but should not obstruct the user experience. - Channels may have predictable relationships between touchpoints, and permeability between channels can depend on the touchpoints involved. - Cross-channel practices are aimed at generating value for actors through desired outcomes, rather than being merely descriptive

1. PART 5 - DID I MENTION THESE?
CROSS-CHANNEL ECOSYSTEMS 101
Andrea @Resmini
January 19 2017

2. DID I MENTION WHAT? WASN’T THIS PATHS AND MAPS?
Well yes, but there’s a few interesting things that have to
do with the primary elements and the nature of the ecosystem
itself I should probably mention before I forget
Do you mind if I ...

3. … NO, PLEASE, GO AHEAD
Thanks, much appreciated
First, I should stress how ecosystem are instantiated by actors
As such, they are transient, volatile structures more similar to a
theatrical performance or a ballet than to a building or a chair

4. ELEMENTS IN ECOSYSTEMS ARE POLYMORPHOUS
An individual element could represent either a touchpoint
or an actor, or both, depending on the ecosystem currently
being investigated and the current goals and intent
A typical example is provided by human actors, who very often
also act as touchpoints for other actors. Staff, for example

5. A TOUCHPOINT MAY BELONG TO MORE THAN ONE CHANNEL
Touchpoints in an ecosystem may belong to multiple channels
“Study group” could both be an element in a hypothetical “peer
conversations” channel and in a “lectures” channel, for example
When they do, they create seams that allow actors to move
across channels, which is a good thing

6. CHANNEL: LECTURES
STUDY GROUP SLIDES BOOK CHAPTERS CLASS DELIVERY
CHANNEL: PEERS CONVERSATIONS
CHANNEL: COURSE INFORMATION
PIPES REPRESENT CHANNELS, BOXES REPRESENT TOUCHPOINTS, LINES REPRESENT SEAMS

7. GOTCHA. BUT WHY IS “LECTURES” A CHANNEL THERE?
Because actors have described “lectures” in such a way that
they match the description of a channel, that is, as a pervasive
layer that transmits information throughout the ecosystem
As such, this is a specific characteristic of this ecosystem and not
a general rule you can apply as-is everywhere

8. WHAT WOULD “LECTURES” “CONTAIN”, THEN?
In the example, it would be a blended channel where
medium-specific touchpoints coexist, allowing actors to move
between the physical and digital spaces of the ecosystem
It might contain for example video recordings of the lectures,
slides, notes and whatnot, but also the actual lecture moments
happening in a certain classroom at a certain time

9. GOOD SEAMS ARE NECESSARY
Seams are the thresholds between touchpoints and channels
While the “experience” needs to proceed unobstructed, this does
not mean seams should not be perceivable. There might be
situations where a “bump” is necessary. For example, warning
the actor she is leaving a “secure” channel for an “insecure” one

10. CHANNELS MIGHT HAVE STRUCTURED RELATIONSHIPS
Preliminary research seems to suggest that there might be
preferred paths between touchpoints and across channels, and
that some general rules might exist that allow to predict whether
a channel is either permeable or impermeable to another
channel depending on the touchpoints involved

11. CROSS-CHANNEL IS GENERATIVE AND EXOGENIC
That’s two big words in a row. They mean that cross-channel is a
set of practices aimed at making things (generative) whose
value proposition for actors resides elsewhere, in whatever
desired final state they are pursuing (exogenic). Compare with
crossmedia, which is descriptive and endogenic

12. PART 6 COMING JAN 26
“FUN TIMES WITH PATHS AND MAPS (SERIOUSLY)”
Andrea @Resmini