Socializing My Business – What Comes After the Chit-Chat?


TOPIC QUESTIONS
Q1) Why do we even need to integrate social into our businesses?
Q2) How should you begin to socialize your business and what should you expect?
Q3) What does social business integration look like for employees & the company?
   Event Details
Event Date:
     2010-01-12
Event Time:
     12PM - 1 PM EST
Participants:
     68
Tweets:
     539


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Moderator
Kris Colvin2.jpg
Kristi Colvin
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web: http://kriscolvin.com/
BIO: Kristi Colvin has been creating business communications since 1993 for leading software organizations and small-to-medium size start-up companies. A foundation in print design and retail visual merchandising, led to web site design, user interface design (gui design + information architecture + branding + usability) and she specializes in making product and brand experiences better for users and customers. Working as both an independent consul ...more
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The #sm42 chat will begin in about 20 minutes. You can participate live from a client or http://bit.ly/8qBCXl
The #sm42 chat will begin in about 20 minutes. You can participate live from a client or http://bit.ly/8qBCXl
You can also watch http://bit.ly/6aO1Lo for the #sm42 conversation while doing other things if you like. :-)
You can also watch http://bit.ly/6aO1Lo for the #sm42 conversation while doing other things if you like. :-)
I think i need your new product's custom features working for this #sm42 chat I am about to do. LOL! Background looks lovely.
RT : Will join into chat on in 8 min re Social Integration into Biz. Follow #sm42 (via ) #sm42
LOL!!! Should we sing Britney's 1, 2, 3 song right now??? 3 minutes to #sm42
Starting in a minute! #sm42 Socializing My Business – What Comes After the Chit-Chat? http://bit.ly/4PYoKc
Starting in a minute! #sm42 Socializing My Business – What Comes After the Chit-Chat? http://bit.ly/4PYoKc
I come from a bit different place than many who are into social media from pure marketing perspective. I see it as a way to meet needs #sm42
Our first question is this: Q1: Why do we even need to integrate social into our businesses? #sm42
#sm42 Instead, what they get is a request to buy something, or an annoying campaign done by marketing, who is the only one toying with sm.
#sm42 This is the crux of a problem Cory... we have to ask "What do people NEED from us (the company?) And then meet the need.
#sm42 Those needs can vary from needing to ask a question: pricing, hours, availability, stock... to wanting to buy something on special.
YES! RT wileyccoyote i would argue peeps want 2 influence the brands they support.some gr8 ideas orig from end user (Dell, Starbucks) #sm42
YES! RT wileyccoyote i would argue peeps want 2 influence the brands they support.some gr8 ideas orig from end user (Dell, Starbucks) #sm42
#sm42 So true, - this is a need folks have, which is why you have "Nike communities" around tennis, golf, etc.
And this leads to: Q2: How should you begin to socialize your business and what should you expect? #sm42
#SM42 So instead of starting from the view of "what's in it for my co, what's the smROI", what if we said "What do people need?"
And this leads to: Q2: How should you begin to socialize your business and what should you expect? #sm42
#SM42 You still get to the ROI question, as you look at filling their needs (you would for any new initiative). But sm gets simpler then.
When you look at other angles than marketing, a lot opens up. We have not even scratched the surface of what Twitter could be used for #sm42
People jump onto trends before thinking about them, I agree. You may not need a community, you may need a FAQ #SM42
This may not be a popular opinion, but people don't necessarily need a personal relationship with your company - they need answers. #sm42
#sm42 Setting up the equivalent of an answer line on Twitter, for your company is one of the first and easiest ways to get into sm.
#sm42 But it's not just about listening... I don't have to listen to know that people call my company with basic questions.
People jump onto trends before thinking about them, I agree. You may not need a community, you may need a FAQ #SM42
#sm42 If I want to rent a movie tonight from Blockbuster, I'd like to know if they have what I want in stock. By asking on Twitter.
#sm42 I want to know when a show on TV comes on, by using Twitter... hooking to a database to discover information is severely underutilized
#sm42 I have a dream, that someday, we will be able to use Twitter in a combo of utilitarian function AND personal care...
#sm42 For example, hook Twitter api up to Blockbuster stock, I ask my store about movie, get response back - automated
#sm42 I have a dream, that someday, we will be able to use Twitter in a combo of utilitarian function AND personal care...
#sm42 There are *scores* of interesting automated things we could do with Twitter, that aren't about following a ton of people/spam
#sm42 I agree to start with a strategy, and what I recommend is looking for the need first, then devise the approach to answer
#sm42 Regarding sm not being for every company, I disagree... I think every company with customer to serve should be found online easily
Say I am a salesman playing golf with a prospect. Tie Twitter to Salesforce & stock and give him answers fast, casual #sm42
#sm42 80% is better than nothing. We're all busy, life moves fast - we need to use tech to reduce burdens, not just chat.
#sm42 The frustration of businesses not being findable especially shows up on the local level. We need to get them here.
I totally agree a lot of folks are missing the opportunity to use sm internally #sm42
#sm42 I'm definitely not saying don't provide that - being available and able to be reached is why people love their brands here
#sm42 SM is not the only way, it is A way that can be used that is currently not being done today.
#sm42 I'm definitely not saying don't provide that - being available and able to be reached is why people love their brands here
Q3: What does social business integration look like for employees & the company? #sm42
#SM42 I'd like to see us expand our horizons though, and truly infiltrate the corporation with sm platforms seamlessly.
#SM42 In regard to Q3, people sometimes overthink getting onto social platform. Different departments can start small & expand to meet needs
And it can plug into existing CRM systems like salesforce ! That is what's so exciting. We are going to do an Ideas site... #sm42
And it can plug into existing CRM systems like salesforce ! That is what's so exciting. We are going to do an Ideas site... #sm42
... ! using the force.com platform AND Twitter/Facebook to blend sharing with ideas and make them actionable in Salesforce #sm42
Regarding what it looks like for companies/staff , do you see less support phone calls at all or no, being online? #sm42
#sm42 When truly integrating social media into your biz, many areas will be touched... your speech, your sites, your availability, the tech.
#sm42 Performing true integration using custom coding and api's can help you transition around the internet to serve customers/prospects
RT Calls are down for a variety of reason. I see Customers & SM part of solutions, such as their answers in forums #sm42
#sm42 just used a great term: "collaborative work space" - this is exactly what blending social with your site looks like.
RT It is all part of the collaborative work space. Customer are the best part of the solution to improve Cust. Service #SM42
The technology is VERY important. People think "tactic" = "what platform" but true integration is deeper, takes planning from big pic #sm42
The technology is VERY important. People think "tactic" = "what platform" but true integration is deeper, takes planning from big pic #sm42
#sm42 If they're looking at it from "what's in it for me & what can I sell" maybe. They should approach from meeting needs.
#sm42 The world of webapps has made it a bit easier to integrate systems together. I have done small things for Fresh ID myself.
I agree about not JUST LISTENING. If you're listening and not talking, you're not serving. #sm42 Serving cust. does help bottom line
#sm42 Thanks for a great chat everyone - a bit hard to keep up with you all, so sorry for that. Thanks for the insights!
#sm42 Thanks for a great chat everyone - a bit hard to keep up with you all, so sorry for that. Thanks for the insights!
RT Today's convo captured here http://bit.ly/4qmlwE & ready to view! #sm42
For some great insights about a big biz who IS using social media operationally, check out stream from #sm42 chat right now.
Well said. RT Social Media is not a strategy, it is a communication channel owned by the Customer #SM42
Well said. RT Social Media is not a strategy, it is a communication channel owned by the Customer #SM42