Social Media Phobia Why Executives Aren’t Onboard.
I asked the question today on Twitter today:
What do you think about Social Media Phobia? What are executives and business owners afraid of? I had some great responses from people online via Twitter.
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GusF @shanegibson I think the big fear is that they have to interact. Also once they say something it’s out there, no turning back.
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eagranieyuh @shanegibson It’s a paradigm shift – you can’t control the message anymore. Throw in new technology and people get scared.
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KyeGrace @shanegibson I think many think Social Media is the Wild West & in many ways it is…some choose to ride their horse through town some don’t
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Renbor @shanegibson I’d guess it is the visibility they don’t like.
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maurylum @shanegibson I think part of phobia is fear that if things “too” personal, will not be professional. Can they co-exist or help 1-another?
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IanWatt @shanegibson I need some office support
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igorskee @shanegibson wasting money :)))
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davemacdonald @shanegibson They are still upholding the illusion that the company owns the brand and that less transparency ensures more control.
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Raize604 @shanegibson “social media” is simply a way to socialize online…some people are just more grounded in real life than online life
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Financial_Plan @shanegibson I think the phobia of social media comes from maintaining a single corporate image, and compliance dep.; bottom-line impersonal
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michaelallison @shanegibson Partly, it’s not understanding the value. If they’ve been successful without it all these years, why start now?
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raincoaster @shanegibson Simple: they are afraid of You and Me and everyone else. That’s why they have receptionists. To keep the curtain closed.
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OtotheLtotheM @shanegibson This is just a matter of adjusting old mindsets to new ideas; easier said than done.
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OtotheLtotheM @shanegibson Phobia comes from the unknown; Unsure how to implement, think it will take too much $/time, no direct way of measuring impact
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tyamdm @shanegibson I was talking about that with @jesus_hoyos last week and for example in LatAm privacy and safety are a big Issue.
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To a large degree the consensus is people are afraid of technology and/or they are afraid to lose control of their brand. Regardless of whether or not we like it, what people are saying about our brand line, is now our brand. Getting invovled in social media and learning a few simple tools (Twitter is easier than Hotmail to use) is a lot less painful than not being part of the conversation and/or watching our competitors mop up mind share and wallet share using social media.
I would be very interested in your thoughts on why people aren’t willing to dive in sooner than later?
