Humanize or Die! Maddie Grant on Successful Organizations in a Social World

TL;DR

Corporations are advised to become more human by adopting social media practices to thrive in the future.

Transcript

hello and welcome to Big think live I'm Jason gots and I'm here with Maddie Grant she's the co-founder of social fish a social media consulting firm and the co-author with Jamie nter of humaniz how people Centric organizations succeed in a social World Maddie welcome to the program thank you so corporations aren't PE people has been a very common p... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 The introduction of social media has disrupted traditional work processes and communication channels within companies.
• 🔉 Companies that successfully incorporate social media practices are poised to thrive in the future.
• 💨 Social media enables individuals to collaborate, share, communicate, and solve problems in new ways, breaking down traditional structures.
• 👯 All industries, regardless of their nature, will eventually be affected by social media and the need for people-centric organizations.
• 🍳 Social media integration requires deeper organizational changes, such as breaking down silos and fostering collaboration.
• ⛔ Organizations that limit their voice to a single individual risk more than those empowering their employees to represent the company.
• 🔉 Individuals can leverage social media tools by simply starting with popular platforms and adapting to changing trends.

Questions & Answers

Q: Are certain industries immune to the effects of social media disruption?

While some industries may seem less likely to be affected, every industry has customers and is part of a network of individuals. Social media is changing the way businesses connect with people in both B2B and B2C markets.

Q: How can companies move beyond superficial social media integration?

Companies often face hurdles in integrating social media into their operations. These challenges are indicative of deeper organizational issues, including communication silos and a lack of trust. The key is to use social media implementation as a catalyst for cultural and organizational change.

Q: How can companies mitigate the risks associated with empowering employees to speak for the company on social media?

There is more fear than actual risk in empowering employees to represent the company on social media. Mistakes can happen, but in a human organization, individual representatives are upfront about their affiliation with the company. Companies risk more by limiting their voice to a single individual and missing out on opportunities.

Q: How can individuals better leverage social media to drive action and organize?

Individuals should start by trying the popular social media tools like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as these evolve with the changing trends. There is no need to fear trying new tools, as they offer natural and easy ways to stay connected with friends, colleagues, and brands. Companies can also encourage employees to explore new tools and express interest in being part of the social media team.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Social media has brought about deep changes in the way companies interact with customers and brands, disrupting traditional work processes.

• Large companies, including technology-related ones like IBM and Dell, are adopting social media, but every industry will eventually be affected.

• Social media disrupts industries by enabling people to create, share, communicate, collaborate, and solve problems in new ways, leading to the success of people-centric organizations.