Don’t be Anti-Social
CRN’s latest article on social networking (CRN being one of the leading titles in the channel media) provided plenty of food for thought here at itpr and a number of our team members were engaged in detailed, often animated, discussions having read it.
The crux of our deliberations are neatly encapsulated below however in the comments of Bob Dearsley, our Chairman – have a read and let us know what you think:
Social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and to a limited extent Facebook, are already having a distinct impact upon businesses and there is simply no option for vendors and resellers to ignore these networking sites, and to do so would be foolish in the extreme.
This is not to say that untargeted tweeting about any and all topics is necessary, but the sensible use of Twitter in business allows communication with Generation Y prospects. Although many are not decision makers, they are definitely decision influencers, and are therefore worthy of focused communication.
Similarly, LinkedIn is already a part of day-to-day business activity. With more than 75 million members worldwide already connected, and a significant proportion involved in group and discussion networks, ignore this group at your peril. They are asking their peers what is thought of your products and services and there are already clear examples where business has been won and lost on this basis.
Businesses would be well advised to take advice on how they might use social media to their benefit, or at the very least have one of their own Generation Y employees explain what can be done and achieved.
You need a view of what is going on in these ‘unseen’ channels – ignorance is far from bliss – you wouldn’t ignore what is being written about you in the Press, why ignore what is being written about you in these new media?
***STOP PRESS***STOP PRESS***STOP PRESS***
Since the time of writing this blog, CRN have published Bob’s thoughts on their letters page – the 13th September issue
