Classical objections
I encounter them again at all presentations. The resistors, shaking their heads: “I don’t have time for that”, “it only says nonsense”, “burglars also read that you’re leaving”. And then they continue: “as if I care if someone goes to the toilet”. If you really don’t want to make time for your customers and if you’re not interested in what they do on the weekend or after work, then you’re making the right choice not to dive into social media.
I once gave a presentation to a room full of insurance advisors. The conversation was about Twitter (what else?). I assumed that they would find it interesting to know that their clients, for example, are standing on the sidelines watching their children's football on Saturday mornings. No way. They didn't find that interesting at all. A waste of their time. Doesn't matter. I was flabbergasted. How can you not be interested in your clients in such a people-oriented, competitive industry? That's how you can make a difference. And when in that same session, somewhere in the Bible Belt, a man also said: "That social media: that's the end of the world" I felt like I was in a brother cell phone list scene from Monty Python.
And now what?
Social media are past the hype. Of course. Generations to come will not return to the old methods. Just as we will not send smoke signals or telexes. But it does ask a lot of people and companies.
The Netherlands is leading the way. Companies like KLM and Deloitte have integrated social media into their entire company. It is not a toy of the communications department, it is not a marketing channel. It has become a fully-fledged communication, recruitment and helpdesk instrument. These companies also needed a few years to do this. It takes about 2 or 3 years to integrate social media into your company. Your employees need TIM©:
Dedication
Interest
Mindset
Don't leave social media to the intern, please don't. Social media are used by all employees in their daily activities. They stimulate, make effective and create opportunities. Make sure that you don't discover like some Jan Doedel in 5 years that you no longer receive emails and phone calls. Get in now, enjoy the opportunities and look for the specific possibilities for yourself or your company. As Simone Levie said: Prevent the horror scenario . Enjoy social media!