Social Media apps

Member Article

Would you let your CEO loose on Twitter?

Social media is a must-have for many businesses. Some grasp it with enthusiasm, while others remain fascinated but unsure of its power and influence, writes Daniel O’Mahoney, managing director, Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations.

It is interesting, therefore, that a recent survey has provided evidence that employees are looking to their CEO to personally embrace social media and to lead them into the digital age.

CEOs, who once showed reluctance, are now being encouraged to engage online in rapidly increasing numbers.

Research conducted by Webber Shandwick suggests that 52% of employees working in companies with social CEOs, believe their leader’s participation makes them feel inspired and 46% feel that their company is more technically advanced through the use of these digital tools.

Engaging in social media allows a CEO to provide a personal perspective with regard to the direction the company is going as well as highlighting the challenges and opportunities that it faces. By becoming involved in the conversation, they are demonstrating that the business is transparent, open and inclusive.

For CEOs looking to adopt social media, here are some tips:

Set clear goals and review progress against them, instead of going all out. Evaluate the findings, and adjust where you see fit.

Find the relevant platforms for yourself or the business. Networks such as LinkedIn and Twitter all help to raise your profile and provide a great way to build up online contacts.

Appoint a team who can monitor current trends, keep up-to-date with any changes and educate you on how they could be adopted into the business.

Always think before you put a message out there! If tweeting personally, remember that you are still the figurehead of a business and as a result anything you say is open to question.

It’s also important that your online activity must mirror and be a true reflection of positive news that is happening internally within your business. ‘White lies’ or exaggeration will be found out and can be difficult to defend.

If you haven’t already, now is the time to get active online. A failure to embrace and to adapt to new technologies will only see your competition get ahead of you!

Communicating and engaging via social media is not something to put off to a later stage. It is here already and having a profound impact on the way companies and CEOs build relationships with customers, employees, suppliers and the media.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations .

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