Feature Article
It's Not Good to be Anti-Social. Friend Me. Follow Me. Like Me.
By Mike Fernendes, Strategy Makers Consulting
For some reason, “social media” seems to be percolating into the mindset of my province’s business and organizational community these days.
By “social media” I’m referring to things like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube and generally any other Internet-based tool that allows you to communicate with other people via your computer, smart phone, latest i-gadget, etc.
I've had more discussions about the pros and cons of social media over the past six months than probably all other areas of business and organizational life combined. In fact, I will be on a panel at the 2011 QNET Excellence Conference sharing my perspective on, yup, you guessed it...social media.
Let's explore this hot topic from a strategic perspective...
When it comes to social media, it seems to me that individuals generally fall into two camps. The first group dislikes/mistrusts/fears social media and/or sees it as completely useless. The second group includes those who love it, live it and even evangelize it. My take is that both camps are part right, and both are also partly wrong.
I’ve come to realize in my own work that social media is a valuable set of tools for businesses and organizations. I’ve also come to believe that social media, while game-changing in many ways, are simply the latest in the evolution of tools that allow people to connect with one another (i.e. it’s networking, just through a different channel).
A Message to the Skeptics...
If you’re one of those people who fall in the first group - those who dislike or remain skeptical about social media, my advice is that you shouldn’t limit your view of social media based only on how your teenage kids use it (or your friends who still act like teenagers for that matter).
Let’s face it, teenagers goals, needs and priorities are very different from yours. The fact that they use Facebook to loiter around with their friends shouldn’t taint your judgment. And just because their Tweets are mainly updates on where they are in the shopping mall doesn't mean Twitter is for nothing other than mind-numbing updates. When we were teenagers we spent A LOT of time loitering and talking about nothing with our friends too. The only difference is that we didn’t say things like “OMG ur tweet made me lmao”.
Now that you and I are grown up and managing businesses or teams, our approach to things like social media has to match our goals, needs and priorities. And we need to view these new tools as valuable additions to our communications strategy.
Social Media Evangelists Beware too...
For those in the other camp - the ones who think social media is the new wave that makes all other media obsolete, I have news for you too. While you’re busy trying to get everyone and their dog to “friend” you on Facebook, “follow you” on Twitter, or “like” you on LinkedIn, most of the decision makers who ultimately sign the checks don’t spend a lot of their waking hours online (yet).
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that the Internet community isn’t growing exponentially everyday (it is). It’s just that if you want to be successful, you have to go where your “right buyer” is. And for many businesses and organizations, that “right buyer” is still the over 40 crowd and many of them are not spending a lot of time watching for your latest Tweet.
A Balanced, Strategic View of Social Media for your organization...
It comes down to this - if (when!) you’re going to add social media to your business/organization’s communication mix, do it purposefully. In other words, be strategic about it. Start with a clear understanding of how social media can help you move your mission/purpose and strategic priorities forward. Once you’re clear on your mission/purpose and goals/priorities then you’ll be in a much better position to figure who you need to connect with and which social media tools can best help you do that. (After all, it's not just about Facebook and Twitter. There are many other social media tools to consider, and for many organizations tools like Youtube and blogs may be a more beneficial investment of your time).
Take Action!
Just as a final caution however, don’t wait until you have a “perfect” strategy lined up. There’s no such thing. Despite what you may have been led to believe, strategy is all about action. In real life, you usually have to dive in at some point and learn as you go. My advice to you is to invest time and energy into figuring out how you should be participating online and then get moving.
The bad news is that you will make mistakes. I know I'm making a few (ex. not enough graphics in my blog, Linkedin profile not completed yet, etc. etc). The good news is that you'll figure it out and you can learn as you go, and bonus, you will likely be viewed as a leader for making the attempt.
I recently did a short (6 slides) presentation for a group of Winnipeg entrepreneurs entitled Social Media Strategy – A Few Considerations. Slide #4 contains some questions that I’ve found helpful. Here’s a link to the presentation if you’re interested…http://www.winnipegentrepreneurs.com/pdf/presentations/02222011-Social-Media-for-Biz.pdf
If you’re looking for a fantastic and very comprehensive book about social media, make sure you get a copy of Mitch Joel’s book Six Pixels of Separation. Although Mitch leans towards the social media evangelist camp, he definitely “gets it” and his approach is wonderfully strategic (i.e. purposeful). I still consider myself a newbie at this, but Mitch’s ideas have become a central part of my approach to social media and Internet-based communications.
Finally, here’s a practical takeaway…
Google your personal name and your company’s name. What comes up? If you don’t see anything about yourself or your business, none of the other billions of people online will see it either. Not only that but you’re being crowded out and someone else with the same name as you or your business name is staking out your space online. This was a revelation for me when I first tried it and noticed that there are many different Mike Fernandes’ in the world (and many of them aren’t very nice).
Here’s some more good news, as I’ve started to develop and use a few of the more popular social media tools, I’ve experienced the added bonus of seeing my messages and online profile make their way higher up in the search engines. The best part is that I don’t advertise at all, I just go about my regular business, but now I use the social media and online channels in addition to my real life networking and email-based communications (less paper too!). This may not seem like much but I am a small business owner too and making people aware of who I am and what I can offer them is essential.
So please go ahead and "friend" me, "follow" me and "like" me wherever you find me online.
Mike Fernandes helps organizations develop, communicate, and implement their strategic priorities. View the StrategyMakers website here. If you'd like to order a custom training session with Mike through Volunteer Manitoba, contact Erik Butenschon at 477-5180 ext 222.
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Did You Know?
Making Life Better for Others
Volunteers Recognized for their Efforts
The 28th Annual Volunteer Manitoba Awards Dinner was again a resounding success. The dinner took place on Wednesday, April 27th, and 33 awards were handed out. The following article from Jen Skerritt of the Winnipeg Free Press summarizes the evening.
Twenty-five years ago, Elisabeth Kunkel saw images of war and famine in Ethiopia and felt inspired to help.
"Some people in the North End said, 'We should do something about this,' " she recalls.
Today, the small movement within Kunkel's church to sponsor refugees has snowballed into The North End Sponsorship Team.
To date, the group has sponsored 157 refugees from 18 different countries, many of whom have gone on to graduate from university and start their own businesses.
"It gives you a real sense of satisfaction," said Kunkel, a charter member of the team. "It gets to be an addiction."
On Wednesday, Kunkel was among dozens of individuals and organizations honoured for their volunteer efforts. Volunteer Manitoba handed out 33 awards to recognize charities, businesses and citizens who help their community by lending a hand to others in need.
Executive director Dennis Dyck said 60 per cent of Manitobans engage in some kind of volunteer work -- the highest rate in the country. He said the most recent sandbagging efforts show most Manitobans genuinely want to help those around them.
"Without them, we wouldn't have any community," he said of all volunteers. "We're Prairie people. We realize we want to help each other to get along."
In Adriana Leinberger's case, her interest in the connection between art and mental illness led her to Artbeat Studio.
The former fine arts student spent two years volunteering at the Exchange studio, which helps individuals living with a mental illness recover by expressing their creativity through art.
Leinberger went on to study art therapy and now works with the organization.
"It's more than tapping into that (volunteer) resource," said Artbeat founder Nigel Bart.
"You're developing relationships with people."
Custom Contracts at Volunteer Manitoba
Flexible Delivery: Where you want it...When you want it.
Volunteer Manitoba is able to deliver workshops to your organization at a time and place convenient to you with content developed to address your unique training needs. There are over 35 topics that are categorized in the following areas: Board Development, Organization Management, Volunteer Management. Our fees are extremely reasonable and are usually less expensive than sending a group of staff to our regularly scheduled workshops. Plus, you get to choose the topic, time, and place!
To discuss your training needs and our delivery options contact: Erik Butenschon, Manager, Training Department at (204) 477-5180 ext. 222, toll free: 1-888-922-4545, email to erik.butenschon@volunteermanitoba.ca.
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Related Resources
Networking and Social Networking Resources
A Selection of Networking Resources Available through Our Resource Centre
Online Resources
Networking
Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre -
Networking and Chambers of Commerce sites
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/87/921/
Retrieved April 27, 2011
Scroll down this page for several networking and Chambers of Commerce sites from the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
CanadaOne
“Network to grow your business” by Mark Wardell. Published March 2010.
http://www.canadaone.com/ezine/mar10/network_business.html
Retrieved April 27, 2011
An article on how to effectively engage in networking.
CharityChannel
http://charitychannel.com/
Retrieved April 27, 2011
CharityChannel is a large online professional network created by and for colleagues who serve nonprofit organizations. Join discussion forums, share documents, create a profile page, read submitted articles and more. Joining as an associate member is free.
The Metro Club – Business Networking
http://www.themetroclub.com/
Retrieved April 27, 2011
Members of this Winnipeg club exchange useful information regarding business development in Manitoba and, wherever possible, directly assist others in “growing their business.” Regular weekly meetings, presentations, workshops and guest speakers provide increased awareness of the local market and enhancement of general business knowledge.
“Networking tips” by Barb Cotton of Bottom Line Research & Communications
http://www.bottomlineresearch.ca/articles/articles/pdf/networking_tips.pdf
Retrieved April 27, 2011
Numerous basic tips on how to network.
Social Networking
Nonprofit Technology Network, Common Knowledge and ThePort Network
Nonprofit Social Network Benchmark Report (April 2010)
http://www.commonknow.com/html/white-papers/NonprofitSocialNetworkSurveyReport.pdf
Retrieved April 27, 2011
Between February 3 and March 15, 2010, 1,173 nonprofit professionals responded to a survey about their organization’s use of online social networks. This report’s objective is to provide nonprofits with insights and trends surrounding social networking technology as part of nonprofit organizations’ marketing, communications, fundraising, and program services.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Social Networking and Privacy
http://www.priv.gc.ca/information/social/index_e.cfm
Retrieved April 27, 2011
Information for consumers on various aspects of social networking and privacy, including identity theft, using social networking sites while in the workplace and how to protect privacy.
The Philathropist, Vol. 23, no. 3 (2010)
“Developing a social media strategy” by Archana Sridhar.
http://www.thephilanthropist.ca/index.php/phil/article/view/841/728
Retrieved April 27, 2011
Social media tools can be extremely valuable for nonprofit organizations, and they can create new ways to engage with volunteers, donors, constituents, students, and others. A plan or strategy for these tools helps to define an organization’s goals, audiences, and resources. Without a strategy, nonprofits risk wasting resources and missing targets.
Book
The networked nonprofit : connecting with social media to drive change. By Beth Kanter and Allison H. Fine. San Francisco, CA : Jossey-Bass, 2010. xix, 201 p.
Call no. 658 KAN
This book shows nonprofits a new way of operating in our increasingly connected world: a networked approach enabled by social technologies, where connections are leveraged to increase impact in effective ways that can drive positive change.
Volunteer Manitoba’s Resource Centre has all of the information you need on the non-profit sector. Please call the Resource Centre Coordinator at 477-5180, ext. 223 or email for more information.
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Special Events
Special Events Happening at Volunteer Manitoba this Spring
Volunteer Manitoba is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of new topics and special events this Winter/Spring.
Volunteer Manitoba is pleased to host:
Youre On! Interactive Media Relations
Thursday, May 19th, 9am - 4pm
You’ve attracted the media’s attention. Either through your news release
promoting your latest initiative or they want to discuss recent revelations
about your organization. Are you ready? Whether you want media coverage or
not, it is best to be prepared for journalists’ inquiries. In this full day workshop,
Rob Wozny of Sound Strategy Communications will show you hands-on how to
prepare for an interview, both on-camera or by phone, and by outlining
strategies to position your key messages while overcoming your nerves of
conducting an interview with a journalist. They’ll also help you determine who
is the best spokesperson for your organization, when it’s okay not to speak to
the media and how to build positive relationships to keep the media interested.
Furthermore, “You’re On!” will review media protocol and your role in it. To register for this session please email delores.jansen@volunteermanitoba.ca
For a full listing of all of Volunteer Manitoba's special events, click here.
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Announcements
1st Winnipeg Timeraiser
Tickets are now on sale for the 1st Winnipeg Timeraiser. For information on this exciting new event visit http://www.timeraiser.ca/en/1st-Winnipeg. Attendees can pledge volunteer hours with local organizations in exchange for locally made artwork. Attendees have the chance to meet with local agencies the night of the event to determine which agency they would be best suited to volunteer for. The event takes place May 6th at the West End Cultural Centre. View the above link for all information.
New Security Requirements for Your Next Event
The Province of Manitoba’s new Private Investigator and Security Guard legislation change may impact your organizations ability to use volunteers as security guards at your next fundraising event.
The new changes mean that all security guards in Manitoba must be licensed. To obtain a license the guard needs to have a valid criminal record check and child abuse registry check done within 6 months of their license application. They must also complete a 40hr Manitoba Security Guard Training Course and examination.
Currently, the province is issuing temporary six month licenses to security guards who have completed the child abuse registry check and criminal background check while they complete training.
Commissionaires Manitoba is a security organization that can help you with your security needs. They can process criminal background checks and provide results within 48 hours for your hired or volunteer security event staff. They also hold a monthly Manitoba Security Guard Training Course at their Training Academy.
The Training Academy can tailor their delivery of their program to suit your needs and offer the training off site. They also provide First Aid and CPR training to many organizations.
To find out more information about how Commissionaires can help your organization visit them online at comissionaires.mb.ca or call, 204-942-5993 x2223.
2011 Contact Guides
Contact Community Information would like to announce that their 2011 Contact Guides are now ready to order. Click here for more information and to order.
MAVA News
(Manitoba Association for Volunteer Administration)
- Growing the Future 2011 is two weeks away! If you work with volunteers (managers of volunteer resources, executive directors, board members, program staff, leaders in the not-for-profit sector, coaches,) or, if you’re a committed volunteer yourself then this conference is for you! Visit www.growingthefuture2011.ca for more info or to register.
- Can’t find time to take in the entire conference? Join us for Volunteer Canada’s FREE session on Thursday, Mary 12 from 1-4pm.
Join community leaders, public officials, volunteers, and volunteer resource managers for this FREE interactive learning session. Experience a virtual tour of new websites Getvolunteering.ca and ActionBénévoleCanada.ca, and the newly enhanced Getinvolved.ca. Get trained on the recently launched Manulife Volunteer Matching Tool and the exciting Volunteering Quotient Quiz (VQ). Delve into the latest findings on Canada’s volunteering landscape detailed in the recently unveiled Bridging the Gap research report (focusing on youth, baby boomers, families, and employer-supported volunteering). Volunteer Canada acknowledges the support of its leading corporate partner, Manulife Financial, for their involvement in developing the research, tools, and websites presented in this workshop.
To attend the event, please register with the Growing the Future conference registration form. * Please note, Growing the Future 2011 is handling all registrations for this session. You do not have to attend the conference to attend this session
For more information email: mavamanitoba@gmail.com
Volunteer Manitoba's Facebook and Twitter Pages
Volunteer Manitoba's Facebook page now has over 300 community minded people on board! If you are interested in a convenient place to network, share ideas or information on the not-for-profit sector, or stay tuned to special events and workshops, sign up by clicking the links!
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