Companies have spent decades building out organizational charts that focused on a few select individuals hired as experts.  These experts hold significant knowledge that is typically more Macro is scope.   Their public voices are certainly respected and are typically very rehearsed and linear. 

Today, the new reality is that employees from all corners of the organization are able to  express themselves in many ways across the digital world.  These new voices are also expert in many cases but from a Micro perspectives and equally important.  Some of these employee’s expressions are associated with the company, some are not and this is exposing the public to a new view of the culture of the company.  This new view is having affects that are impacting customers, partners, shareholders & potential new employees in dramatic and often positive new ways.  The companies that are embracing their corporate legions digitally are beginning to uncover talents of their employees that had long gone unrealized. 

Social Media is unlocking a treasure trove of hidden value for businesses with their employees.  Southwest Airlines is promoting the voice of baggage handlers, flight attendants and other jobs that were never before thought of under the traditional guise of Corporate Communications.  The results are significant with real ROI in terms of reduced service calls, increased loyalty, more sales, and widespread digital evangelism (earned media).   So how do you take advantage of employees who have a hidden knack for communicating and can add value to the face of your new digital organization?

We are delighted to get Valeria Maltoni of ConversationAgent for this event!  Valeria is more than qualified to lead this discussion as she is an outspoken expert in new media, marketing and corporate culture on her 3 yr old blog and understands Marketing Communications from a hands-on, practical standpoint.  She will help us understand the following:

Topic:  Uncovering your Company’s Hidden Assets…Your Social Employees!

 Q1:  How do you find them?

Q2: How can you enable them?

Q3: Do we need to change the skills we recruit for? 

Plan on participating Tues 9/1 @ 12 noon EST by going to the LIVE page or using the #socialmedia tag on Twitter.

We are excited this week to have Jessica Lee from APCO Worldwide moderating our UnPanel event this Tuesday @ Noon EST.  The topic this week extends last week’s discussion on adapting corporate cultures for the Social Enterprise and will focus on building our a roadmap for companies to consider.

Jessica is a leader in the industry, a sought after speaker and editor of the blog Fistful of Talent, a leading talent management and human capital blog with over 50,000 visitors per month.  Her experiences with clients worldwide and insightful contributions to her site Fistful of Talent will make this a can’t miss event for companies looking for direction on where to start in adapting their organizations.

Our questions this week will include:

• 1. Are there generational differences / digital divide issues with employees / customers? How to manage them?
• 2. In the social enterprise, what are the skill sets needed, attributes, values to look for at each level? Do you need a janitor that can also relate to a customer in person / digitally?
• 3. What items are needed to create an Action Plan to adapt your corporate culture? Who needs to own it?

Don’t miss this week’s event with Jessica Lee moderating at www.hashtagsocialmedia.com.