While on a 7AM Skype call with a client on the East Coast I looked at my calendar for the day to see I had a another call at 10AM, 3PM, 8PM and 11:30PM…with a request from a potential client in London for an interview call at 1AM the next day. I know if you are not in the business of mentoring and managing a business/social networking club you probably do not have to deal with this type of schedule. However, this type of communications is pretty typical for anyone who is out to effectively use Social Media.
So Where You Asleep?
I find it interesting when I visit with business people to find how so many of them do not have a complete understanding of what Social Media is about. Many have read about it and in some unfortunate cases have run into the “First Adaptor Expert Gurus” who come from ,or work for, the big box marketing firms who are almost clueless on how to use social media.
As a result, many business people boldly go forward in their thinking that Social Media is either…
- a fad
- will not use it
- or were told it is just another form of the traditional marketing strategy
….that requires a larger budget to use.
This means, there are still a lot of businesses and business executives who were asleep when Social Media came about. Most just hate to let others know they missed what Social Media is all about so they just simply write out another check to the ‘guru’s’ so they can say they are using social media.
Scared of Being Social?
I would say many business owners and executives are still asleep when it comes to them understanding Social Media’s basic concept which deals with being social. Most business executives are scared to be social since it forces them to be open so others can see who they really are. This causes a reverse effect for may business people who do not want Social Media to work because it will force them, or their staff, to be more social in everything they do. This simple change in direction would show a business’ weakness which eventually forces them out of business since nobody can trust to do business with them.
It really is hard to image someone not wanting to be social with potential customers or clients, but they are out there. All of them thinking that if they can stay in business long enough to ride out this fad called Social Media they will survey. Like Rip Van Winkle, many businesses are thinking they can sleep through Social Media. Unfortunately, they maybe a sleep for a while. I am afraid Social Media style of business operations and marketing is here to stay,
Let me know how I can help.
