Getting “Social”: A Snapshot of CEOs Using Social Media

Our readers no doubt know that we’re a big fan of  CEO-blogging. There’s virtually no reason not to, and there are many, many ways to work around the possible constraints. To make the point about CEOs generating content via blogs and other forms of social media, here’s a relevant reblog from Steve Tappin, Guru and Founder of World Of CEOs, via LinkedIn and his WorldOfCEOs website.

In this post, Tappin cites [and ranks] the many big execs who are now active on social media [not just blogs] and creating digital content. It’s very insightful and underscores our belief that CEO-posting is relevant and useful in creating an overall company culture, but also in influencing the social climate in which businesses operate.

The graphic below shows a bit of what Tappin and his World of CEOs has found. We’ve copied the top three CEOs listed: Richard Branson, Marissa Mayer and Jeff Klein, but you can view the entire list by following the link at the end.

 

Here’s the link to Tappin’s full top 60 list of CEOs using social media:

http://linkd.in/1kiLZK4

And, if you’re interested in more on this topic, below is a link to a nice series of articles from Forbes on corporate marketing on social media. We’ve started with the summary of the 10-part series, from which you can link to each of the 10 articles.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviatemin/2011/08/17/strategy-the-one-do-amidst-the-donts-wrapping-up-the-10-donts-of-corporate-social-media-series/

Check out all of the above, and share this info with your top exec! It’s great for inspiration and as a guide for “how-to.”

More On Companies Daring To Do Good

Over the span of our posts, we’ve complimented a wide array of companies that seem to be particularly attuned to marrying their business operations with what we call “smart marketing” and corporate social responsibility. Panera has been cited as one such company, on more than one occasion. Today, in his own words, Panera’s founder, Ron Shaich, talks about the principles that guide the company’s business and good deeds … Daring to Do Good

And on more than one occasion, we’ve written about the benefits of C-suite blogging as a way of “keeping it real” and staying in touch with customers and other important audiences. We’re happy to give a platform to others who share that view. Here’s a testimony from Twitter social leader & blogger, Claire Diaz-Ortiz …

“Starting a blog was one of the smartest things I ever did …”

Three Reasons Every Leader Needs A Blog

May 07, 2013

Inspired reading, on both counts, we hope! Let us know what you think.

Six Ways Your C-suite Can Use A Blog

There are becoming fewer reasons why at least one member of a company’s C-suite doesn’t have a blog. Consumers are voting with their fingers that they like to engage with companies online.  Recent studies also show that consumers correlate a company’s accessibility via social media and blogs as an important factor in building trust. And as we all know, trust is the coin of the realm in terms of PR, brand and values marketing, and corporate social responsibility. So why not blog?

While we, at MediaWorks, are fairly new to blogging, we’re not new to PR, so this question of C-suite blogging caught our attention. Using our own experience with C-suite blogging as a baseline, we did some informal research on which CEOs, etc., are blogging and what they’re talking about. From there, we compiled our own checklist of six ways your C-suite can use corporate blogs:

Six Ways Your C-suite Can Use A Blog

1) To Explain Complex Processes Or Operations. CEO blogs from Caterpillar to Zappos have used blogs to simplify uses and intricate processes related to a brand. (Caterpillar has this down to a science; they even have leadership blogs by category, e.g., construction, marine, etc.) These kinds of blogs can help bring understanding and create affinity for the astonishing array of steps, choices and decisions that may be involved in bringing a favorite brand to shelf – from manufacturing processes and supply chain issues to sales and distribution matters.

2) To Give An Insider’s Look. What’s the organization’s point of view on an issue, industry trend or outlook. Marriott uses its CEO’s blog to frequently look at issues from the inside-out. Often, context and perspective can make a big difference in bringing about understanding, good will, or at least benefit of the doubt.

3) To Discuss Or Explain Trends, Policies, Protocols And Company Positions on Issues. People often wonder why companies do what they do. A blog post of this kind can help customers, supporters, suppliers, and employees explain a company’s history, priorities, motivations, and other values-related decision making. The opportunity to read these important dispatches directly from the top, and perhaps comment or query on them, can go along way in positioning a company as open and transparent. If you haven’t already, check out Whole Foods blog.

4) To Show Personality. Blog posts can humanize the company with a distinct face, voice and persona. These posts can create an image or perception of the company leadership as more more “casual” and less “formal”; more accessible, and less distant. It’s the opportunity to present a distinct tone, humor, aura that people can connect with and that has appeal. When possible, this can only be helpful in the range of relationships a company has to manage. Craiglist CEO Chris Newmark has undoubtedly mastered this approach.

5) To Preview Changes. From specific changes in products and brands, to industrywide or social changes that impact the company. Explain, get feedback, tamp down anxiety that usually accompanies such changes, and more than likely help offset rumors and unofficial speculations. Changes in name, logo or nomenclature, structural changes within the organization, seem a natural for these blog posts, as well as mergers and acquisitions, at the appropriate juncture. To this end, Edelman, offers a whole cadre of senior exec blogs on a variety of topics. John Deere, also with multiple blogs by category, frequently uses blogs in this fashion.)

6) To Showcase What Works. In this instance, the blog becomes another platform to spotlight, explain, or amplify recent successes—successful launches, announcements or updates on CSR initiatives, important acknowledgments or recognitions. Starbucks blog provides a good example of this.

So, if you’re still uncertain and straddling the fence on whether your company needs a C-suite blog, however you decide, at least you’ve been given some viable options to consider.

Worth noting: We found this story on a related topic: “Should Your CEO Actively Use Social Media? Here’s How …” Check it out: http://bit.ly/1au1Gtn