In the last few years our firm has developed a holiday tradition of sending an influential business book to our clients and partners. This year we’ve selected Wikinomics – How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams as the Diversified Insurance Group’s 2007 Book of the Year.

We chose Wikinomics because it expands on some of the themes from our previous two “Book of the Year” selections – The World is Flat in 2005 and Small Giants in 2006. Each of these books examines how collaboration and technology are changing the business landscape. All three works emphasize that business size is no indicator of greatness, expertise, or creativity. In today’s world, knowledge is power. Wikinomics is about using the knowledge of the masses, specifically knowledge within online communities, to scale businesses and innovate in ways that are breaking down traditional hierarchal models. In addition to being highly informative, Wikinomics is also an enjoyable, interesting read.

Diversified has always embraced a collaborative culture by connecting with our customers, insurance carriers, complementary service providers, and even competitors in an effort to deliver a better work product, a greater value and a higher level of service. Insurance is a relationship business which is perhaps why books that address ways to more effectively communicate and create knowledge resonate so well with us. Wikinomics reminds us that the more we share and give, the more we all win.