Jay Baer and Amber Naslund, co-authors of The Now Revolution: 7 Shifts to Make Your Business Faster, Smarter, and More Social, enlightened us at the San Diego Ad Club and Public Relations Society last week. Eye-opening, with a touch of tsunami thrown in. It’s no secret that instant communication and social media are revolutionizing the workplace. Denial is no longer an option. They took us on an enlightening fly over of these tectonic shifts.
Among the most helpful takeaways: Social media begins on the cultural level of an organization, before it can go operational. Blogs, Twitter, and Face Book reflect your company’s mission and culture. They are not stand alone tactics. Nor are they temporary fads. Companies today get to adapt to this dynamic environment by being more transparent and communicative. It’s no longer the Marketing Department, crafting strategic messages. Every employee becomes a passionate brand manager. That requires that each company know why it is in business and who it serves.
Another takeaway: Every business must acknowledge that we live in an age of “response-ability.” The speed and quality with which companies respond and engage with clients has changed forever.
Some of us Baby Boomer types become overwhelmed — even alarmed — by the change surrounding us. Even more reason to celebrate Baer and Naslund’s empowering guide.
