Can’t shut them down

“Facebook is not allowed in our company.”

“We can’t use Twitter in our work place.”

Information Technology people scream: “Sir, we have to protect our data security. Ma’am, we never know when someone could hack into our system.”

Human Resource people say: “Sir, if we allow them to view their Facebook pages, then all they will do is ‘socialize’ and not concentrate on their works.”

I understand all these, I understand the caution and I understand how important company information should be protected at all cost.

Here’s what I don’t understand.

The corporate citizens who do not have access to their Social sites via their company computers turn to their mobile computers or smart phones to have their doses of Social Media.

Now, this is the part that I do not understand.

The very leaders who prevent and prohibit their people from doing Facebook or Tweeting in the work place do it themselves. This I cannot understand.

And when the social media becomes more powerful, companies scramble to have their own Facebook pages up and use expensive advertisements to encourage the target market to “Like Us” on Facebook. This is odd, isn’t it?

Less than a decade ago, many firms do not want to allow their people to use email for fear of information leaving the company. As a matter of fact, the great debate back then was all about whether sales representative need computers.

I remember my younger years when MTV was exploding, and teens were all watching. There were parents who did not allow their children to watch MTV and guess what happened? They watched anyway.

When new technology emerges especially one that has potential to change the way we live, the initial reaction is to prohibit the unfamiliar because that is the easier thing to do. But dare I say that it’s totally ineffective in the first place?

Understanding the new format and learning more about it requires a drastic departure from our areas of comfort. Progressive companies in America are using social networks as terminals or platforms for their internal connections, engagements and connections with thousands of company employees. These platforms allow them to improve their working relationships with their leaders and each other.

Here are the facts of life.

Today you turn to Twitter for fast breaking news – Twitter is the new CNN of the 21st century. You turn to Google for information and Instagram for food photos. You turn to iPhone for contacts and to Facebook for friends and social connections. YouTube is the new cable TV for the 21st century.

Information is now democratized.  Every person is a broadcaster, publisher, columnist and author, these are domains owned by an exclusive few previously. In order to stay successful in Facebook, you need to stay current and you need to stay cool.

The reason why Facebook is so successful, is because it provides human connections and subsequently, human emotions. AD CEO Kevin Robert calls this “Participation Economy.” Everybody wants to be connected. Everybody wants to be liked.

This is why they urge and beg you to “Like” them. Even talent agencies have to change the way they do business, they use social media for their talents, because it has a wider reach.

Everything has changed and the rules are no longer the same.

May I make a suggestion? Hire a Digital Marketing Officer who understands and makes the best use of technology. Rather than prohibiting it, why not use it for good purposes and then perhaps, leaders may be viewed as more authentic?

(Spend two inspiring days with Francis Kong learning leadership and life skills as he presents Level Up Leadership on July 22-23 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries contact Inspire at 09158055910 or call 632-6310912 for details.)