Another Social Media Blog
Filed under: Business & Management, Marketing, Media, Outsourced IT SupportMy wife and I are avid “Grey’s Anatomy” watchers. Usually, the Thursday night drama merely entertains, as the characters (mostly doctors) seem to go out of their way to wreck their completely unbelievable lives. But in a recent episode, Dr. Miranda Bailey, played by actor Chandra Wilson, broadcasts her surgeries via Twitter.
While operating on her patient, Dr. Bailey would dictate what she was experiencing to one of the residents. The resident would then transcribe her words, on a Blackberry, into 140 character micro-blogs or “Tweets.” Doctors and medical students from around the world monitored the surgery via Twitter, Re-Tweeting questions and comments about the surgery.
Using Twitter as a communications platform, Dr. Bailey had turned her surgery into a teaching experience that extended beyond the operating room. In the past, something like this would have required a massive investment in technology and communications equipment and would only have been available to the affluent. All Dr. Bailey needed was an opportunity to do her work and a Blackberry.
Of course, one does not need to look far to find a real world example of the global impact of social media technologies such as Twitter and Facebook. All you need to do is pick up a paper or turn on the news. Oppressive regimes and dictators across the Middle East and North Africa appear to be dropping like dominoes as “the people” take to the streets and demand change.
Social media employed as a communication and collaboration platform seem to be a real driver behind these world-changing events. In fact, I’ve heard the term “Twitter Revolution” used to describe what’s happening in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and elsewhere. I don’t disagree that social media has played an important role in what has and continues to unfold in that part of the world, but I think it’s a gross oversimplification and perhaps, even a little arrogant to say social media caused what’s happening.
Technology is not a silver bullet that magically solves problems. It is more of a force multiplier or an accelerator that can be used to speed up or intensify the impact of a good idea or a sound strategy. Without Dr. Bailey’s vision and creativity, Facebook is just a place to view a litany of un-remarkable vacation photos.
I talk with business owners all the time about social media. Most see it as a real distraction and productivity killer. Most of the time, I’d tend to agree. But I think recent events evidence the fact that we should really challenge ourselves to consider how we might apply this technology in the future in support of our business goals.
A great way to start would be to log in to Facebook or Twitter and see how your peers are using it. I logged in and found this posting from Shon Christy. Shon and I were lab partners in Mr. Glime’s chemistry class at Stow High School in Ohio in 1993. Other than being connected on Facebook, Shon and I don’t communicate. But because of his posting, I know City Cleaners is hiring. Now you know too.
So we know for sure that social media sites like Twitter and Facebook can be used to teach fictional doctors, recruit salespeople, and topple governments. What could you use it for? If you’d like to talk about it, let me know. You can email me at jclause@endsight.net