The Family

The GodfatherMr Chris Hambly :: The Godfather

Chris Hambly MA ODE (Open) is an educational technologist, web strategist, and CEO of Audana, the parent company of the Social Media Mafia.

As well as being a distance learning pioneer (he founded the first ever distance learning portal of its kind), Chris has considerable academic and professional experience in the higher education sector having led degree authoring and management for a number of UK universities as well as external examining for oversees concerns in the Asia Pacific region.

Chris has significant “social media” experience having run several virtual communities for over ten years where social was a part of his employment fabric before the term “social media” even became common place. He is a skilled moderator of conversation, experienced Chair, and has racked-up social media experience with household brands names such as The Coca Cola Company.

He is a keen musician, critical thinker, web strategist and has been working as an educational and Internet media professional since 1994, having been a recording studio/PA engineer and a Royal Navy aircraft communications technician previously.

He is studying for his PhD in Educational Technology and social communications.

Sturcture

The structure described below refers specifically to Social Media Mafia (SMM).

The leader of the family is known as Il Capo Di Tutti Capi (the boss of all bosses) or just Boss, Don or Godfather. All major decisions are made by the Boss, and information generated by the family ultimately flows to him. The Boss’s authority is needed to resolve disputes and keep everyone in line as well as provide strategic vision for the Family.

Just below the boss is the Underboss. The Underboss is the second in command, although the amount of power he wields can vary depending on projects. The Underboss can resolve disputes without involving the boss if required. The Underboss is groomed to replace the boss if he is unavailable for major decisions.

Beneath the Underboss are several Capos. A Capo acts like a lieutenant, leading his own section of the family business. He has specific activities that he operates. The Capo’s territory may be defined geographically (as in, “everything west of Soho belongs to Louis ‘The Gambler’ Ringgold.”) or, and perhaps more importantly, by the social graphs (rackets or tribes) he operates. The key to being a successful capo is in operating an influential social graph (racket), along with analysing and sharing information. The Capo manages most of the information his rackets generate and then disseminates the rest up to the Underboss and Boss.

The “dirty work” is done by the Soldiers. A Soldier is the lowest rank among made men. They’re part of the family, but they hold little power, operate small social graphs and generate relatively little information or influence. The number of Soldiers that belong to any given Capo can vary tremendously.

In addition to Soldiers, we use Associates. Associates are not actual members of the family, but they work with the Soldiers and Capos on various enterprises. An Associate is simply someone who works with the family, including anyone from a business specialist or accountant to a lawyer, investment banker, police officer or politician.

There is one other position within the family that is somewhat legendary — the Consigliere. The Consigliere is not supposed to be part of the family’s hierarchy. He/she is supposed to act as an advisor and make impartial decisions based on fairness rather than personal feelings or vendettas. This position is meant to elected by the members of The Family, rather than appointed by the Boss.

N.B. Any disrespect shown in this chain of command will be taken very seriously.

N.B. “Him” used in the above context is non gender specific.

N.B. The above text is a mash-up of other work, source unknown