So I am reading the Tom Peter’s blog today and I can’t help but pull out my computer and riff off of his comments about these troubling times that have all of us guessing how bad the what dismal future that lies ahead really looks like. I ditto his comments about Bernard Madoff’s son, Andrew, and his wife, laden with conspicuously high-end shopping bags as they went about their holiday shopping in Manhattan. I can’t imagine the thoughts floating around in their heads that helped them justify their “spendaholic” actions.
I do call a lot of us in this country “consumptionholics.” I also found myself playing this role at times. But not today. Not this month. Not in the near future.
What would you do? If you don’t have an answer I’ll give you some of my own. For those executive at AIG and, in fact anyone who gets a bonus this year, think of giving some to those in need. There are so many food pantries that need extra food. There are so many children who need clothing. There are so many places to volunteer.
And if for some reason the bonus monies have not left the corporate coffers yet . . . stop. Don’t give out bonuses for “retaining top talent.” As one of my colleagues said, “Why would these companies be afraid that these people will go elsewhere? Where is there to go? Who is hiring?”
So, Tom Peters. I’ve watched you over the years. I always said I would like to be more like you. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in this time and there is no question you have a great heart. Now, even though this economic bust has already occurred, please continue to use your influence next year to help people wake up and walk out on the craziness that this year has seen. Keep promoting the idea of giving and social responsibility–especially to companies that don’t seem to get that consumers CARE what goes on inside the corporate walls–between cubicles and departments and inside and outside of boardrooms. Keep promoting strategies that show companies how to “do well by doing good.”
In the end, the more people who speak out against greed like you have done the better off we will all be. Thanks Tom.
I just finished reading a wonderful book by Larry Webber on social networks. He offers that social networks create the very best, low-cost, advertising, marketing and business development platforms in business today. He recommends to companies like Coors that instead of spending money on yet another ad during the Super Bowl that has little or no real correlation to more people buying beer, that it considers creating an online community where their customers and even their competitors customers (not for long though) can come and compete to win trips out west to go white water rafting or to some other great destinations for fun.
What a simple concept, but, just like so many companies during the dot.com boom, companies today have what I call an "80’s mentality." They are actually stuck in an old network paradigm of paying for "passive" eyeballs to look at pictures or even video "passively" on a screen, and, then, somehow, miraculously, decide to "actively" go buy whatever the company is selling in their very friendly, fun ad.
Juxtapose the sliding hope of selling those old-fashioned ads, now, to online social networks and communities that create "active" participation where people move from visitors into loyal fans as the site and the people on the site become one of their favorite places to hang out. We have only touched the surface of online communities. If I had my way, these communities would be much more active and even facilitated by experts who further engage the participants through ongoing events—both live and online. I am now engaged with several large organizations helping them build online networks with their customers helping them grow their brands as well as their revenues with a socially responsible focus.
I have also been building my own communities that I use as feeders into other communities. To this end, anyone who wants to visit our online community can join at www.networlding2.org or on LinkedIn if you are socially responsible. These communities bring companies and people who practice the values of making a difference, integrity, innovation and collaboration together to make money while making a difference. The good news now its time for ANYONE and I mean ANYONE who really wants to grow a vibrant company and who is entrepreneurial and has even a small amount of investment capital, to throw his or her hat in the ring. May the best men or women win and, I believe like you do Terry, they will be people like you and me who get social networking and online community building.
Warmest Regards,
Melissa Giovagnoli
Social Media Visionary and Author
www.networlding.com
melissa@networlding.com
