Matt English on Grasping Social Media
Posted
on Dec 02, 2014
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What does a baby boomer know of social media? Matt English guest speaker to our last meeting has made it his recent study and subject of a recent book.
Chairman Noel McInnes described Matt as an independent business commentator, public speaker, and strategist with a bachelor of commerce from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. Consistent with the age of a "baby boomer" he has over four decades’ industry experience, including senior roles as a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM.
Recorded as a specialist in the development, publication, and presentation of innovative thought leadership, and supporter to management in matters of organizational change and the reshaping of business models the audience of baby boomers and even earlier generations had reason to listen to the positive yet critical analysis by Matt of social media today.
Rebutting thoughts of it being a passing fad we explored the topic under three headings, social or business change, a "push" factor and a continuing journey. In Matt's view its has promulgated the biggest social change in a generation. Always society has been concerned with connections, communities and collaboration. Previously written and or spoken means have prevailed to spread a message. Today with social media there is instant coverage, and more important from one person to many!
Business to community interaction has changed. Whereas previously business was driving products and ideas to the community, nowadays the consumer through social media is driving business.
Knowledge once pooled in libraries etc is now pushed into the social media channels and is "free". With this of course comes the downside of the integrity of such "knowledge". The debate from the audience contrasted the positives of the abundance of information, with the problems and ease by which propaganda and false material can be dispersed globally.
It was concluded social media is here to stay but newcomers to it have to shape their involvement by their needs and establish a comfortable degree of a participation. Matt encouraged us to "give it a go", but be selective and get a mentor to guide us through it.
Thanks Matt for a great presentation and leading us through some very interesting discussions.