Comments for Cartoon: Head Count

Cartoon: Head Count

2009-11-22T18:30:40Z

A few weeks ago, I spoke to someone who had finally reached the end of her rope with an obdurate boss. Having suggested a series of social media initiatives, only to see them wither on the vine as he refused to either push them forward or cancel them, she was ready to move on - not just to another job, but a whole different organization. (Possibly the mob. She has recently dreamed up some innovations on the homicide front that she's eager to try.)

]]> One of the reasons social media can be so challenging is that it often challenges hierarchies... and people at the top of those hierarchies have grown comfortable there. Some see the potential advantages of an engaging, open online presence, but others feel threatened and vulnerable. They have a wide range of hostile responses at their disposal: from the passive-aggressive (my friend's boss) to the outright belligerent (see below).

What's your experience? Have you found yourself inadvertently threatening the powers that be?

More Noise to Signal.

Comment from tigger on 2009-11-22

2009-11-23T02:29:08Z

I have a story I am sure is not unique.

Working as the new digital media specialist in a medium sized ad agency, I sent around an email asking the account managers if they had any clients who might benefit from a social media project. As a base, I suggested we get their Twitter accounts registered as well as YouTube Channels where appropriate.
My old school boss called me to his office and said that my pursuit of social media and related was a sign that I was "completely out of ideas".

I left a week later. Some people will never get it.

Tigger

Comment from misstahi on 2009-11-22

2009-11-23T03:43:38Z

Some of our marketing and comms clients are so not coping. They realise that they have to ride the social media wave but...

- they don't want their print channels marginalised
- they don't want people discussing topics they have no accountability for (ie people questioning government policy when their role is funding); and
- they're worried about focusing resource in a new area when they're not appropriately delivering their 'core business'...

The threat hanging over their head is the need for a new marketing / comms strategy and tactical plan - new thinking, new channels, new process, new ...

Comment from Rob Cottingham on 2009-11-23

2009-11-23T20:42:09Z

Tigger, sounds like it's good on you for getting the hell out of there... did you land somewhere decent?

@misstahi, all very true. What can give those folks reassurance or comfort in the face of those fears? And are they to some extent justified?

Comment from Drewery on 2009-11-23

2009-11-23T21:11:48Z

My boss is a weird (and ultimately mind-numbingly frustrating) example, in that he certainly has embraced new media, especial Digg and Reddit (we're an Internet magazine) but in such a fashion so as to defeat any success. He overuses his accounts, simply spamming people with links from our site, leading to his account getting black listed as a someone who juices the stats. It's unbelievably frustrating watching him do this.

He has no qualms creating multiple user profiles on the site, dropping comments on every article as if it were organic. GAH.

Comment from fabian on 2009-11-25

2009-11-26T04:22:38Z

My current boss reacts like social media is some kind of infectious disease to be caught - open minded in other areas but just seems to have a 'fear' of SM - there's probably a syndrome out there...your cartoon reminded me of something I recently saw recently on twitter http://bit.ly/twoons - now that's the kind of office i'd like to work in where sm is fun and useful.