Archive for April, 2009

Summary Session 1 Q:1 Where Does Social Media Fit in Companies & What are the Roadblocks.

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

The first question took well over half of the hour as the feedback was overwhelming and consistent.  Following are some of the insights.

Q1:  Where are the deficiencies in business around People, Interactions & Technology? In other words, where does social media make sense in a business setting when addressing those deficiencies?

A better way to frame the question came from:

dariasteigman@twitter.com (Daria Steigman) @BethHarte  We need identify the roadblocks before we can assess how Social Media might provide solutions.  #socialmedia

And the answers started flowing in:

sonicric@twitter.com (rick) deficiencies: corporate governance behind times #socialmedia
dariasteigman@twitter.com (Daria Steigman) Silos, hording information, are huge problems across organizations.  In govt., add lack of ability to connect across agencies. #socialmedia
JGoldsborough@twitter.com (JGoldsborough) @BethHarte SM makes sense everywhere, not just cause of knowledge share but cause of how new issues are surfaced. #socialmedia
JMaultasch@twitter.com (JMaultasch) @BethHarte SM helps with case study, best practices & knowledge sharing across competitive businesses in same sector #socialmedia
nhamilt@twitter.com (nhamilt) lack of communication internally between employees across the board – even if it means something as simple as sharing successes #socialmedia
sonicric@twitter.com (rick) ignorance among management still prevalent … often two steps behind employees #socialmedia
nhamilt@twitter.com (nhamilt) @ajmunn I feel like the tools r always changing, i think a better understanding of the value in connecting people is important  #socialmedia
 The conversation gave mention to partner networks  
jasonbreed@twitter.com (JasonBreed) think about employee networks, partner networks, consumer networks. companies invest million in these and never connect them #socialmedia
sonicric@twitter.com (rick) re: b2bs — having an open and ongoing conversation with biz “partners” cannot be bad for business #socialmedia #socialmedia
sonnygill@twitter.com (Sonny Gill) The deficiency is in the company culture. Top down, there has to be understanding and acceptance of the new communication channels #socialmedia
ajmunn@twitter.com (Alasdair Munn) @jasonbreed yes so need to look internally. Address unique business needs and incorporate relevant tools 4 relevant connections #socialmedia
jasonbreed@twitter.com (JasonBreed) @BethHarte absolutely, partners are innovating 4 u mostly. all solving same problems or your product. Let them share best pract #socialmedia
 Then it moved to the need for Education at all levels.  
kbodnar32@twitter.com (Kipp Bodnar) @BethHarte  the biggest issue is a lack of education. Communication has to be a priority. Without education you just have fear  #socialmedia
Marc_Meyer@twitter.com (Marc Meyer) @markkrupinski  #socialmedia Agree, but then we need to show how that is possible rather than trying to convince and sell people on premise
sonicric@twitter.com (rick) @nancy_white i would start by NOT implementing standards or restrictions and see where that take you #socialmedia
cbensen@twitter.com (Connie Bensen) @BethHarte are companies comfortable w/ open comm between their employees? are they transparent internally? #socialmedia
sonicric@twitter.com (rick) @specialdee companies already let employees do it – and often the lower paid ones: on customer support lines #socialmedia
dariasteigman@twitter.com (Daria Steigman) @BethHarte Employees are best brand ambassadors; training on brand, value, etc. key first step. #socialmedia
sonicric@twitter.com (rick) … so what companies need to realize is they in a way already are conversing socially, but poorly #socialmedia

Interesting take: Companies already have social dialogue in call centers (SonicRic) just not online yet. What’s the first thing they do in call centers….train them on Brand, value, etc (DariaSteigman)

Then a pretty significant group jumped onto the notion that nothing can happen until the organization’s culture can accept being “social”

nhamilt@twitter.com (nhamilt) @ajmunn  I would agree, but to many are focusing on the tools versus the actual culture of a company – where everything starts #socialmedia
BethHarte@twitter.com (Beth Harte) Another thought…how can companies feel comfortable w/letting employees interact online w/customers? Is it doable? #socialmedia
sonicric@twitter.com (rick) remove barriers for employees and they will take advantge. deficiencies will subside (but new ones will rise)
#socialmedia
 #socialmedia
cbensen@twitter.com (Connie Bensen) @dariasteigman the roadblocks are fear & lack of knowledge by mgt – education is the first step & a big one #socialmedia
dansm15@twitter.com (Dan Miller) The biggest challenge for the foreseeable future is the org. changes needed  to support SoMe. #socialmedia
dariasteigman@twitter.com (Daria Steigman) @dansm15 The org. changes need to come first; orgs need to un-silo, integrate efforts for SM to be  truly effective. #socialmedia

 

Keep the discussion going through comments.  What should be added?