Utilizing social media requires a huge paradigm shift for people. In previous posts I’ve talked about people overcoming their fear of ‘talking to strangers’. For a corporation it’s an even bigger step! For an organization to adopt the use of social media tools there are many facets. First the enterprise needs to commit to utilizing social media. I am very fortunate in that ACDSee is ready to expand the ways that they interact with their customers! And as their Community Manager I’m able to provide leadership in that direction.
For staff to become comfortable with utilizing social media I believe there are four tenets of effecting change:
- Recognize that change happens slowly
- Build on the strengths & assets of the organization
- Be committed to face the challenges that will arise
- Ultimately the change needs to be a result of intrinsic motivation
Over the past year I have watched my sister evolve from a silent lurker to an active blogger. Today she pointed out that she has surpassed me in the number of posts on our forums. I did encourage her early on & she joined at her own comfort rate. Now I’m watching her mentoring others!
Last week when I was at the offices talking about my ACDSee group on Facebook (I tend to do that…), my President asked, ‘there are staff on Facebook?’ So I showed him who my friends were & he disappeared for awhile. When he came back he said he’d made an exec account. He befriended the staff I was friends with & joined the ACDSee group! AND posted on a question on the ACDSee group’s discussion board. Isn’t that a great way of setting an example of interacting with the customers? Tonight I checked & there are 8 ACDSee staff that are members of the group. They joined of their own accord & I really appreciate their participation. My question for them will be if they want to be identified as staff or if they just want to quietly belong. I will respect their choice although I’ve already asked a few of them to blog…
I’m so impressed with this level of voluntary engagement! It makes me realize that the PEOPLE of ACDSee are committed to utilizing social media & we can move ahead far more quickly than I had envisioned! Somehow I have a feeling that this journey is going to be a great adventure because ACDSee staff have the same vision that I do & in a total team effort. Thanks guys!
It challenges me to look further into the future!
A great demonstration of leading by example. Thanks for sharing this information, Connie!
Geoff, your post on fear of SM was great, but I couldn’t include it in here because there is very little fear at my company.