Everyone must learn to walk differently
The Internet is everywhere.
Just 10 years ago, most Internet users logged in using a workstation or laptop from home or work. Our ability to access online data was constrained by location. You could carry around your laptop, but to access the web, you needed to be in the close proximity of a WiFi network.
Fast forward to today, and we’re accessing the web not just from workstation and laptops at our homes and work, but from integrated devices in our cars and small portable devices like mobile phones. These devices can connect to ubiquitous wireless networks, giving us access to the web virtually anywhere that we can make a cell phone call.
We are now able to pull content from the Internet without the constraint of location. Conversely, we’re able to push content to the Internet without the constraint of location, and do it VERY efficiently. For example, I can take a picture of myself in line at a store, post it to the Internet, and distribute the picture to my friends before I’ve even purchased the thing that I’m in line for. The technology behind this is very impressive. But, in my opinion, not because of what it allows you to do, rather, in how easily you can do it. 10 years ago, if I told you I could take that picture, and in a matter of seconds, distribute to my friends, you would have assumed that I was involved in cutting-edge technology. You would have been right! Today, this simply means that I own a commonly available tool and have signed up for some commonly available services.
The proliferation of access and sharing is a giant candy store in which I am a doughy-eyed kid. However there is an inherent danger to this technology. That danger comes in the form of reputation management.
As easily as I can take a picture of myself and distribute, I can take a picture of you and distribute. And what if you’re famous? What happens if that photo raises questions about your reputation?
Case in point, Bono from U2. He and a friend partied with some attractive younger women in St Tropez. The girls distributed to their friends by posting to their Facebook accounts and before you know it, the press and gossip hounds are having a field day by publishing the photos on their sites.
I’m sure that Bono, like many celebrities, has a team of people who are tasked with keeping him on firm ground by carefully managing his PR and reputation. However with technology and the proliferation of the Internet, the ground is shifting under his feet. In fact the ground is shifting under all of our feet. This isn’t limited to celebrities. Think of the stories you’ve heard of people not getting hired or even losing their jobs because of risque Facebook photos.
To adapt to this shift and not get tripped up, we all must to learn to walk differently. Always think about the photos and videos people are taking of you and where those images might end up .. Michael Phelps anyone? Be conscious of the things you post too. Maybe the photo of you hugging a toilet isn’t the best thing to share with the world.
I think that Seth Godin said it best with “... always act as if you’re on Candid Camera, because you are.“
Posted by Jeremy Hilton on Mar. 18, 2009
Comments
Social media is a game changer. When a customer service horror story can go viral, it’s time for companies to be on their best behavior.
It’s a pretty simple formula - treat your customer right and social media is the best marketing tool in your arsenal.
On the other hand. treat them wrong…
Posted by Jeremy Hilton on 03/18/2009 05:05 PM
Lot’s to pay attention to these days. It’s especially important to business as a dissatisfied customer won’t just tell 20 friends about his experience like he did in the past, NOW he will tell 200 people on facebook or maybe 2000 on Twitter. Nothing but TOPcustomer service is acceptable in today’s marketplace.
Posted by Dale Bohman on 03/18/2009 01:59 PM