by Sunny Lam on October 7, 2009
(Image via Regillo Consulting Group)
Dell has done a lot to make social media a big part of their communications strategy. Social media however turned out to be more than just news and special offers. It is (as many veterans already know) an important way to build relationships and has to be a part of every department — including sales, customer support and product development groups.
SmartBlog On Social Media » How Dell took social media mainstream: “The paradigm shift from broadcast to direct communication via social networks has changed the way PR professionals, marketers and customer service teams work. As social media evolves, it’s becoming a vital and vibrant way for professionals to stay in touch with colleagues, suppliers and partners — and not just for communications purposes but for product development, innovation and more.”
(Via Smart Blogs.)
WHAT ARE DELL’S 3 TIPS?
1. Listen first
When everyone talks no one hears anything. Be the bigger soul, listen to what your customers are saying. Yield the right of way. As Seth Godin would put it – listen to the tribe. As I would say it, “Listen to the heart beat of your community.”
2. Get your employees used to and excited about social media.
3. Encourage employees to set up social media accounts.
Just make sure you have a social media policy especially if you have Gen Y employees.
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Technorati Tags: corporate communications, engagement, Social Media, social networking
by Sunny Lam on April 25, 2009
Picture: 30 Wonderful Articles and Sites for Self Motivation
A recent BusinessWeek article details 5 ways to motivate without money. It has a lot of traditional business jargon (why does it always sound so much like button pushing?). Frankly, do your best to build relationships – really it’s the trying that matters.
1. Communicate and stay connected to people: A survey found that 1 in 5 employees didn’t really connect with their work anymore compared to 1 in 10 last summer. In fact one company lost employees they wanted to keep after a layoff because they didn’t communicate.
2. Middle managers need to lead: Tough as it is managers need to go beyond managing (hence the need for leadership). They’ve got to be out there among their fellows, not as an overload but as an inspiration. Staying in the office isn’t going to save anyone. Face time, face time.
3. Creative compensation: You don’t have to dish out cash to help people. There are other ways like stock options or RSUs (restricted stock units). Unfortunately not so relevant to small businesses.
4. Make recognition personal: It’s like creative compensation. Find ways to really recognize someone based on their interests and background. Like a sincere recognition not just some party.
5. Fulfilling work is the best reward: Money rewards aren’t everything. People really get a lift from work that actually means something, makes a difference or does something for the community, the company, the environment or some cause that they believe in. What it boils down to is “doing the right thing every day”.
Note: Lots of people I help and friends keep telling me how much #5 matters to them.
References
Motivating Without Money – BusinessWeek: “Keeping employees engaged is critical during an economic downturn. Here are some smart ways to do it”
(Via BusinessWeek.)
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Technorati Tags: employee, engagement, financial, human resources, incentives, money, motivation, recruiting
