3 years
100+ radio shows and hangout video interviews
150+ high-intensity Twitter chats
550+ blog posts
1 simple goal
Those of us who plan and produce #TChat social learning forums hope that TalentCulture community events educate, energize and enrich everyone who participates. We’re grateful for your involvement — which educates, energizes and enriches us all, in return.
This metaphor for the social workplace isn’t just a random fluke of Twitter nature. It’s an intentional human exchange that continuously flows and shifts in ways that are now bigger than the sum of its parts. Still, each of us is an essential element — with a unique voice that adds depth and texture to the fabric of our talent-minded “tribe.”
#TChat Turns Three: Learning Through Community
So, during this 3rd Anniversary #TChat week, let your voice be heard. Let’s gather on social channels to celebrate the individual, mutual and collective growth that every community of purpose strives to achieve.
Our guest this week is Ambrosia Humphrey, VP of Talent at HootSuite! Team Hootsuite will be celebrating along with us as well. Social engagement in action.
As a special treat for this week’s “sneak peek” video, we asked our own Community Manager, Tim McDonald, to compare notes with Kevin W. Grossman about the meaning and value of #TChat. The resulting video is a delightful journey into the minds and hearts of two men who are walking examples of community spirit! Watch the hangout now:
Share Your #TChat Story! The Conversation Starts Here
Tim and Kevin aren’t the only ones who are talking about TalentCulture’s role in their professional and personal lives. We’re gathering a collection of quotes and videos from all over the community landscape, and sharing that feedback on #TChat Twitter and other social channels this week.
We’re also launching a special “Buzz!” page right here at TalentCulture.com, to highlight community comments now and in the future. We invite you to share your thoughts — in whatever form you wish.
So, please join this week’s conversation about the power of social learning communities, and tell us what this particular community means to you. The #TChat channel is always “on” and everyone is welcome to participate in whatever way is most beneficial for you. Don’t be shy!
#TChat Events: Online Communities And Professional Growth
Immediately following the radio show, we’ll move this discussion to the #TChat Twitter stream, for an open chat with the entire TalentCulture community. Everyone with a Twitter account is invited to participate, as we address these questions:
Q1: What are the key ingredients for online learning communities? Why? Q2: Why do you participate in Twitter chats like #TChat? Q3: How can organizations capture learning community magic internally? Q4: What’s the future of Twitter chats in building communities? Q5: What topics would you like #TChat to explore in 2014?
Throughout the week, we’ll keep the discussion going on the #TChat Twitter feed and on our LinkedIn Discussion Group. So please join us share your questions, ideas and opinions.
We’ll see you on the stream!
https://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Kevin-Grossman-Tim-McDonald-TChat-2.jpg352700Meghan M. Birohttps://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.pngMeghan M. Biro2013-11-17 18:56:182020-05-27 16:31:50We're Turning Three! Let's Celebrate Community #TChat Preview
3 years
100+ radio shows and hangout video interviews
150+ high-intensity Twitter chats
550+ blog posts
1 simple goal
Those of us who plan and produce #TChat social learning forums hope that TalentCulture community events educate, energize and enrich everyone who participates. We’re grateful for your involvement — which educates, energizes and enriches us all, in return.
This metaphor for the social workplace isn’t just a random fluke of Twitter nature. It’s an intentional human exchange that continuously flows and shifts in ways that are now bigger than the sum of its parts. Still, each of us is an essential element — with a unique voice that adds depth and texture to the fabric of our talent-minded “tribe.”
#TChat Turns Three: Learning Through Community
So, during this 3rd Anniversary #TChat week, let your voice be heard. Let’s gather on social channels to celebrate the individual, mutual and collective growth that every community of purpose strives to achieve.
Our guest this week is Ambrosia Humphrey, VP of Talent at HootSuite! Team Hootsuite will be celebrating along with us as well. Social engagement in action.
As a special treat for this week’s “sneak peek” video, we asked our own Community Manager, Tim McDonald, to compare notes with Kevin W. Grossman about the meaning and value of #TChat. The resulting video is a delightful journey into the minds and hearts of two men who are walking examples of community spirit! Watch the hangout now:
Share Your #TChat Story! The Conversation Starts Here
Tim and Kevin aren’t the only ones who are talking about TalentCulture’s role in their professional and personal lives. We’re gathering a collection of quotes and videos from all over the community landscape, and sharing that feedback on #TChat Twitter and other social channels this week.
We’re also launching a special “Buzz!” page right here at TalentCulture.com, to highlight community comments now and in the future. We invite you to share your thoughts — in whatever form you wish.
So, please join this week’s conversation about the power of social learning communities, and tell us what this particular community means to you. The #TChat channel is always “on” and everyone is welcome to participate in whatever way is most beneficial for you. Don’t be shy!
#TChat Events: Online Communities And Professional Growth
Immediately following the radio show, we’ll move this discussion to the #TChat Twitter stream, for an open chat with the entire TalentCulture community. Everyone with a Twitter account is invited to participate, as we address these questions:
Q1: What are the key ingredients for online learning communities? Why? Q2: Why do you participate in Twitter chats like #TChat? Q3: How can organizations capture learning community magic internally? Q4: What’s the future of Twitter chats in building communities? Q5: What topics would you like #TChat to explore in 2014?
Throughout the week, we’ll keep the discussion going on the #TChat Twitter feed and on our LinkedIn Discussion Group. So please join us share your questions, ideas and opinions.
We’ll see you on the stream!
“The people to get even with are those who’ve helped you.”
–J.E. Southard
Today it’s time for us to “get even” by expressing deep gratitude! Why? Because Forbes.com has selected TalentCulture as one of “100 Top Websites For Your Career.” Of course we’re thrilled — and not just for all the obvious reasons. So, in the spirit of lists everywhere, here are our 3 Reasons Why This Forbes List Matters:
1) It Matters For Our Mission
By including us, Forbes is acknowledging the rise of crowdsourcing and virtual communities of practice in today’s social business world. And, if you consider the breadth and caliber of the company we’re keeping, it truly is an honor to be featured.
2) It Matters To Others In The World Of Work
On this list, everyone is a winner because there are no rankings. Instead, as Forbes staff writer Jacquelyn Smith notes:
“Our goal was to assemble a comprehensive guide to smart and engaging…online destinations for interns, job seekers, business owners, established professionals, retirees, and anyone else looking to launch, improve, advance, or change his or her career.”
Forbes has developed a highly eclectic mix of sites. It’s not just about wildly popular social platforms like Twitter; professional networking sites like LinkedIn; job boards like CareerBuilder; and reference sites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Forbes actually adds meat to those big bones with niche services like CareerBliss and PayScale, as well as informational sites like Lindsey Pollak and Jobacle.
However, for us, the most exciting sites on the list are the many valued friends, partners and participants in our TalentCulture community. For example:
Most importantly, this recognition is a positive reflection on each of you— the tens-of-thousands of monthly visitors who rely upon TalentCulture as a resource for helpful “world of work” ideas, insights, connections and conversations with professional peers.
This milestone is also an opportunity for us to express our gratitude for the hundreds of community participants who, for nearly 4 years have generously developed blog content, appeared as guests on our #TChat Radio shows, participated in our popular #TChat Twitter events, and shared knowledge and peer support continuously on our social media channels.
TalentCulture exists only because of the time, effort and skill that each of you contribute. That’s the beauty of community. This isn’t merely a “website.” This is a reflection of a continuous collaborative process that our founder, Meghan M. Biro, calls a “metaphor for the social workplace.”
Truly, in this case, we could not have done this with out you. So thanks to you all! And congratulations on what you’ve helped us create. Stay tuned to this site — and let’s see where our living learning laboratory will take us next!
https://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/3888733207_3ed319baa5_o.jpg350700TalentCulture Team + Guestshttps://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.pngTalentCulture Team + Guests2013-09-19 17:58:202020-05-25 17:57:41Forbes Picks TalentCulture As A Top Career Site: 3 Reasons Why It Matters
“Every person is defined by the communities she belongs to.” ―from “Speaker for the Dead” by Orson Scott Card
I imagine that anyone who participates in the TalentCulture community agrees with this quote. Whenever any of us invests time or talent in #TChat events, social channels or this blog, a bit of our identity becomes connected to something larger than ourselves.
Of course that’s not unusual. The rise of the Internet has made community membership a common occurrence. In fact, “community” has become a buzzword for any group of people that uses digital technology to interact. But many business-related communities are much more than just loosely connected people. They are, like TalentCulture, communities of practice or purpose.
Here’s how social learning expert, Etienne Wenger, defines Communities of Practice: “Groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do — and who learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.” It’s important to keep in mind that this proccess of continuous learning isn’t necessarily intentional. It’s also important to remember that, although communities may start as a flash of inspiration, they must be cultivated. They require consistent presence, clear communication and sufficient resources to function and flourish.
Not every virtual community is a community of practice. What differentiates them from others? According to Wenger, there are 3 critical components:
DOMAIN = shared topics of interest (e.g. today’s “world of work”)
COMMUNITY = members + their relationships (e.g. #TChat/TalentCulture social media connections)
PRACTICE = channels and collective body of knowledge (e.g. chat archives, video and audio interviews, blog commentary)
Want deeper insight into how you can get value from a community of practice? Watch this energetic, idea-packed video by Nancy White, who is passionate about the care and feeding of communities!
How do these community of practice concepts extend to enterprise communities? For insights and inspiration, check out our stash of resources from this week’s #TChat Forums. Throughout the week, experts challenged us to think in new ways about familiar community concepts.
#TChat Week in Review
SAT 5/25
Watch video interviews in the #TChat Preview
#TChat Preview + Sneak Peek Videos: Our Community Manager, Tim McDonald, framed the week’s topic in interviews with our special guests, Maria Ogneva, Director of Product Marketing at Salesforce Chatter Communities, and Jeff Willinger, Director of Collaboration, Social Computing and Intranets at Rightpoint consulting. See the preview: “Finding Value in Enterprise Communities.”
SUN 5/26
Forbes.com Post: TalentCulture CEO, Meghan M. Biro considered how business organizations can effectively apply community management principles and practices in her Forbes column, “5 Ways Leaders Empower The Social Enterprise.”
#TChat Twitter: As we do each Wednesday, #TChat-ters took to the Twitter stream to share ideas, concerns and opinions — this week about enterprise community best practices, with Maria and Jeff leading the way. Were you in on the action? If not, or to review highlights, watch the slideshow below:
#TChat Twitter Highlights: “Finding Value in Enterprise Communities”
SPECIAL THANKS: Again, thanks to our guests, Maria Ogneva and Jeff Willinger. We’re inspired by your insights and passion for cultivating purposeful business communities!
NOTE TO BLOGGERS: Did this week’s events prompt you to write about digital communities? We’re happy to share your thoughts. Just post a link on Twitter (include #TChat or @TalentCulture), or insert a comment below, and we’ll pass it along.
WHAT’S AHEAD: Next week — we’re shifting gears to look at the hiring process from the candidate’s perspective. How have employers improved about the hiring process — and what could be improved? You won’t want to miss it!
But until then, the World of Work conversation continues each day. So join us on the #TChat Twitter stream, or on our new LinkedIn discussion group. And feel free to explore other areas of our redesigned website. The lights are always on at TalentCulture, and your ideas and opinions are always welcome.
See you on the stream!
https://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/CommunitiesJPG.jpg329660Nancy Rubinhttps://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.pngNancy Rubin2013-05-30 20:29:022020-05-25 17:19:36Communities of Practice and Purpose: #TChat Recap
Verb: The act of giving one thing and receiving another (esp. of the same type or value) in return.
Give to get. It is a concept as old as civilization. And it is a dynamic that lives at the core of every successful community — large or small, business or otherwise.
During a single hour of speed sharing, nearly 400 contributors exchanged 2,900 #TChat tweets — which in turn generated 17.3 million impressions across the Twitter universe. Now that’s proof of social media’s power to enable community engagement and outreach! (To see highlights from the session, scroll through the Storify slideshow below.)
Of course, as many in the community know, #TChat’s gravitational pull doesn’t stop on Wednesday nights. It continues throughout each week, as contributors apply the #TChat hashtag to ad-hoc posts and informal discussion threads.
It may seem like a small thing, but those cumulative posts add up! In fact, on HRMarketer’s latest list of top 100 hr-related Twitter hashtags. #TChat actually ranks #2 — behind only #HR itself.
Community: “What’s In It For Me?”
Hashtags aren’t communities, of course. They’re only evidence that a strong social community exists, and that begs the question: What do smart, talent-minded professionals receive in return for their contributions each Wednesday — and throughout the week? Several participants offered their feedback last night:
“Has anyone coined the expression “Crowd-Learning”? Because that’s what it feels like being on this chat!” @bcoelho2000
“I’m new to community management, reading you guys chat and discuss and going to your links is really helping me — thank you all.” @JuFriendlyChat
Do the strongest communities generate spontaneously and grow organically?
Under what circumstances do “manufactured” communities work, if ever?
Regardless of a community’s source, what is required to sustain a cohesive agenda and a sense of momentum?
Community: Postcards From the Edge
Because many #TChat participants are involved in talent or brand communities, this topic tends to spark debate and deep conviction. Best practices are a work-in-progress, but #TChat-ters are leading the way. Consider this taste of eloquent ideas, plucked from yesterday’s stream…
“Social media is NOT Community. It’s communication.” @Historian
“It’s hard to build a relationship with a corporation. Community managers humanize.” @joetatulli
“Community Manager is the connector, conversation starter, information resource, listener, marketer, moderator, promoter, salesman.” @TimJBarry
“Leaders hear this: Community Managers have the power to guide, inform, teach, and inspire. MAJOR ROI for brands.” @jocelynaucoin
“Individuals may cause the movement, but the community sustains the momentum.” @ValaAfshar
“Too much control on a community becomes a cult – no organic development – no change.” @IncentIntel
“We can learn a lot from cmtys of practice experience: nurture rather than manufacture; light touch-not control.” @4km
Want to learn more? For complete insights from the discussion stream, see the highlight slideshow at the end of this post.
SPECIAL THANKS are in order for our guest moderator this week, Tim McDonald (@tamcdonald), community manager at HuffPost Live, founder of My Community Manager, and co-organizer of #cmgrUN. The breadth of Tim’s knowledge and expertise brought wonderful depth and dimension to this week’s discussion.
# # #
Highlights & What’s Ahead on #TChat
Did you miss the #TChat preview? Go here. Are you looking for the highlights slideshow? Keep scrolling to the end of this post.
NOTE: If you’re a blogger, and this #TChat session inspired you to write about social communities, we’re happy to share your thoughts with others! Just post a link on Twitter (at #TChat or @TalentCulture), or insert a comment below, and we’ll add it to our archives. There are many voices in the #TChat community — with many ideas worthy of sharing. So let’s capture as many of them as possible!
We hope you’ll join us next Wednesday at 7pmET/4pmPT for another #TChat. We continue our focus on communities, as we discuss technologies that enable community development and management. Look for the preview early next week via @TalentCulture and #TChat. Enjoy your weekend!
#TChat INSIGHTS Slide Show: Social Communities by Sean Charles (@SocialMediaSean)
[javascript src=”//storify.com/TalentCulture/tchat-insights-the-sound-of-a-talent-community.js?template=slideshow”]
#TChat INSIGHTS: The Sound of a Talent Community
Storified by TalentCulture · Thu, Oct 25 2012 07:32:18
#SoLike it’s a “T” for #TChat. #Duh http://pic.twitter.com/QwBdSgz2jocelynaucoin
Q1: What is the connection between a social community and a company’s brand? #tchatTim McDonald
A1. community managers do more than just marketing efforts- they are the personality, customer service, and conversationalists #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
#tchat A1 It’s about having an audience interested in what you have to say and you can actually LISTEN to their needs and desires!Bruno Coelho
A1: Opposite of brand amplification is possible, too: silence. Plus, amplification isn’t always good. Cultivate. #TChatBrent Skinner
A1. The Social Community is the face of your brand to many people who are not on TV, Radio, Billboards #tchatRob Garcia
a1. The community manager is the master of real-time brand engagement with cyberspace. #tchatMichael Clark
A1 A community is the people behind the brand; engaging, learning, sharing, on behalf of … #TChatClaire Crossley
A1: Someone said it’s an intersection. Yes, that’s so true. The connection is the impact: brand amplification. #tchatBrent Skinner
a1. Community managers have to fearless in the flurry of energy and information coming customers. #tchatMichael Clark
A1: Social community = brand accountability squad #TChatLaTonya Wilkins
A1: The social community would seem to be crafted from unstructured parts in order to mold it to the company brand. Loyalty is earned #TChatTom Bolt
A1. community managers do more than just marketing efforts- they are the personality, customer service, and conversationalists #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
#TChat A1 – To engage the community, the brand needs to engage in convo’s, not be one sided. This will equal success & add valueMichael!
A1) The connection is only as strong as the effort the org puts into the community. More attention & care = stronger connection #tchatCate Conroy
A1. Social communities are leverages, and have an influence on the company. At best, it should be a trust connection #TChatLilian Mahoukou
A1: It’s about the communication between the company and the stakeholders. #tchatRob McGahen
A1: Social community is about connection, interaction, shared values – not corporate messaging. #tchatAlli Polin
A1 Community can form a new brand, change an old brand, or destroy any brand #tchatPaul Hebert
A1. The social community is like the company brand’s president & chief, it has powers to enact and veto the value of the brand #tchatSalima Nathoo
A1: The connection is the behavior…people executing on brand promise. #tchatBill Cushard
A1 The community can be a source of nutrients to grow the brand #TChatAlice MacGillivray
A1 – A social community is a ‘tribe’ of shared interest around a brand #TchatLeAnna J. Carey
A1: The brand is alive through its community members #tchatJen Olney
A1: I would hope that the social community is a dialog, not one way. #TChatTom Bolt
a1. The strength of the connection determines the quality of an organization’s life. #tchatMichael Clark
A1. Companies & industry that rely on community engagement must leverage society’s social networks to maintain relevancy. #tchatChris Fields
A1) It’s simple customer service. By respecting and listening to the online community the business can learn and build evangilists. #tchatAmy Gaerlan
A1 #Tchat The connection between a Brand and its Social Community is that you ARE who your followers ARE AND reputations are now built on itALEX BOTTOM
A1: The Internet <- how's that for seemingly glib, but actually not? #tchatBrent Skinner
A1: A business’ online community exemplifys the brand’s ethos through their engagement. #tchatSam Fiorella
A1 social community is both listening post and divining rod for the company #tchatKeith Punches
A1 it is so important and essential to a community’s success #TChateSkill
#tchat A1: the social community represents the brand without boarders- for good or bad it speaks out #organicMegan Rene Burkett
A1: If brand is a promise, then it is the promise delivered to the community, consistently, openly, and interactively. #TChatJon M
A1 Community is required to be a brand – a brand without community is a just a brochure #tchatPaul Hebert
A1. social community speaks to the customers/fans… not at them… it creates communication and, ultimately, engagement #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
a1. No community manager, no connection, no brand, no organization. #tchatMichael Clark
A1) The social community can become ambassadors, evangelists and your marketing force. How effective that is depends having a #cmgr #tchatTim McDonald
#tchat A1 It’s about having an audience interested in what you have to say and you can actually LISTEN to their needs and desires!Bruno Coelho
A1. social community creates a way to communicate, define, and clarify a brand to their “fans” #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
a1. Now demands high-speed, high definition, instant real-time connections. #tchatMichael Clark
A1: The social community ideally is an extension of the brand. Brings powerful energy & hopefully synergy #tchatAlli Polin
A1: The community symbolizes the bond with the brand #tchatJen Olney
A1: It isn’t a connection. It is an intersection of brand & social community – the meeting place. #TChatJon M
A1 A social community is (can be) the mirror of the brand but a mirror that influences how the brand is seen ~ #tchatCASUDI
a1. The better the connection, the more successful the organization. #tchatMichael Clark
A1 Community is the mirror of the brand #tchatPaul Hebert
A1: A company’s community SHOULD PERSONIFY its brand! #tchatSam Fiorella
Q2: What is the role of “community manager” and what’s the future of this role look like? #tchatTim McDonald
A2: TO communicate brand values through creating & curating content that is relent to community #TChatSean Charles
#tchat A2: future- a model demonstrating the ROI of a community manager ahhMegan Rene Burkett
A2: The community manager’s primary role is to be the hub, the #leader of the band. Be the gravity. #tchatBrent Skinner
A2 is it pragmatic to have one person be the CM or spread the role out…w/n the community? #tchatKeith Punches
A2 Internal / External messages must mesh or brand is not consistent across all media. #TChatTom Bolt
A2 Community Manager is the connector, conversation starter, information resource, listener, marketer, moderator, promoter, salesman #tchatTim Barry
A2: How do you manage an organic thing? That’s the dilemma. You gotta define the role, though; otherwise, mayhem. #tchatBrent Skinner
A2: Internal com sooo important. Not casting stones but I can reach one company over #SoMe before I can get answer from tech 800 line #TChatTom Bolt
A2 Community Managers are real people, building real relationships with other real people who want to interact with the brand. #TChatJoseph Tatulli
A2. The community & the company may go into diff maturity stages. The community manager facilitates the growth of the relationship #TChatLilian Mahoukou
A2 – CM are sails in the wind – adjusting and using the community to get where they need to go… #tchatPaul Hebert
A2: Th
e future is bright for the #cmgr. Conversation is shifting from do we need to which one do we need #TChatSean Charles
A2. customers/fans are savvy and smart. community managers better have conviction or they’ll see right through it #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
A2. The role of the community manager is to help the company and the community achieving their top goals, in the long run #TChatLilian Mahoukou
A2 Seems to be quite a lot of responsibility – #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
A2 hearing aid #tchatKeith Punches
A2) Community management is about knowing not only the voice of the company but the voice of the customer. Among other things! #tchatAmy Gaerlan
a2. Community managers communicate the thoughts and emotions of the brand. #tchatMichael Clark
A2 Comm Managers should have a direct relation to how messages are shared (words & format) which is key for audiences #TChatClaire Crossley
A2 – community managers can be the “glue” to pull people together culturally and to launch and nuture SoMe campaigns #tchatRichard S Pearson
A2: Most value is in the conversation not the content. #cmgr responsible to moderate & encourage #TChatSean Charles
A2 – CM needs to be both strategic and tactical – separate signal from noise #tchatPaul Hebert
A2 #Tchat The Community Manager validates thoughts & every employee is a Brand Ambassador while aggregating all relevant quality informationNEOGOV
A2. a CM’s role is to get people pumped up to the point where they also want to pass on the positive message about your company/brand #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
#tchat A2: my prediction- community manager will soon be an academic major!!Megan Rene Burkett
A2: Still thinking about what it *is*; in the meantime, a community manager’s role *is not* to be a dictator. #tchatBrent Skinner
A2 Community manager = grand parents…respected by community, lived by the young…they are everything to everyone. #tchatEnzo Guardino
A2: Community managers will move in the future to the forefront of customer service and sales #tchatJen Olney
A2 – the goal of a community manager is to create the feeling of “user driven” that creates more value for a co. #TChatLeAnna J. Carey
#tchat A2 A community manager sets the example of what the brand really stands for and why should people care about it!Bruno Coelho
A2. Community managers are the finger on & the pulse of a brand and curate how it breathes in open social waters. #tchatSalima Nathoo
#TChat A2 Community Manager facilitates the brand’s conversation. Directs and guides but does not own it.Philip Turnbull
A2 CM need to be looking for new ways to engage – can’t just use yesterday’s tools #tchatPaul Hebert
#tchat A2: someone who connects and identifies with the brands industry an culture- a conversationalist- A LiStEnErMegan Rene Burkett
A2: #cmgr Celebrates the community and its members #TChatSean Charles
A2. A community manager will be a brand’s spokesperson, your customer service lead. Cheerleader & Problem-Solver #tchatGarick Chan
A2. it’s not just about being strategic in marketing efforts, its about knowing HOW to speak to your audience to make it successful #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
a2. In the future, every employee will be a 24/7, 365 brand ambassador and community manager. #tchatMichael Clark
A2: role of “community manager” is a moving target, so keeping up is critical – as Yoda says: “Always in motion the future it is.” #TChatSylvia Dahlby
A2: Customer service watch dog! #TChatSean Charles
My bold projection: A2) In the future, most employees will be community managers. THE community manager will report to the CEO. #tchatTim McDonald
A2: Community managers are facilitators of conversation, community engagement and they are the face of brand to community #tchatJen Olney
A2: New term – Brand Facilitator. No negotiating (un-ambassador). Just listening, exchanging, acting, giving, building. #TChatJon M
A2 First and foremost, a community manager is a connector. #tchatJoe Sanchez
A2 Community Managers can have roles both internal or external to Brand & are Key Champions to bridging both/all #TChatClaire Crossley
A2. Community Manager should own the publications and communications pieces. They will champion org social identity and engagement #tchatChris Fields
“@samfiorella: A2: Community Mngrs will move beyond- coordinating content/people/ideas across organization. #tchat” conceptualizeMegan Rene Burkett
A2. community managers have to stay passionate for the company/brand for the greater good, no matter what. #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
a2. Due to connection, engagement, reach, speed, community managers may be the most powerful people in the organization. #tchatMichael Clark
A2: To facilitate & spark conversation with current & future members of the community #TChatSean Charles
A2) The community manager is the voice of the brand, and I think soon every role in an org will have a lil’ community manager in it! #tchatCate Conroy
A2 Future = increasingly important as we head into the Age of the social #tchatCASUDI
A2: Community Manager is the future, must have his/her hand on the pulse and understand the trends. #TChatRobert Rojo
A2: Community Manager is an ambassador, a missionary, a visionary. #TChatTom Bolt
A2 It’s going to evolve – a little qualitative research perhaps? #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
A2 The community leader is the glue that holds it all together & the catalyst that helps it grow. #tchatCASUDI
A2 a manager of single-family home subdivisions, townhouses, or mixed-use development (but all on-line ;-) #tchatKeith Punches
A2.community managers’ roles are to keep customers “in-the-know” in real time. Works with with our instant gratification expectations #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
#tchat A2 The community manager must always remember that the reason he exists is because of each and every member of the tribe!Bruno Coelho
A2 Community managers are the eyes and ears – need to be watching and directing appropriate responses #tchatPaul Hebert
A2: The community manager is the brand ambassador – engaging people & ideas #tchatAlli Polin
A2) The #cmgr is teh conduit for communication between the brand and the community and back again #tchatMuse Seymour
a2. Community managers establish organizational presence and tone in cyberspace. #tchatMichael Clark
A2: “community manager” morphed from brand manager + marketing concept and will probably evolve further in the future. #TChatTom Bolt
#tchat A2 He also must realize that leadership isn’t something you do TO people but WITH them! It’s a shared fulfillment journey!Bruno Coelho
A2: Community manager’s role is facilitator, listener, and the future looks extremely bright! #TChatJon M
A2 CM Teach others about how they can participate in the community #tchatPaul Hebert
a2. Community managers build bridges between the inside and outside of organizations. #tchatMichael Clark
A2: Community Mngrs will move beyond social engagement to coordinating content/people/ideas across organization. #tchatSam Fiorella
A2) The role of the community manager is the voice of the brand to the community and voice of the community to the brand. #cmgr #tchatTim McDonald
a2 the role is bleak and lack of jobs and HR doesnt understand the role and hire kids under 25 #tchatMichael Hahn
Q3: Why do leaders, companies need social brand ambassadors, community managers? #tchatTim McDonald
a3. Your brand’s story is being written every moment. #tchatMichael Clark
a3. Content creates conversation creates connection c
reates customer. #tchatMichael Clark
Yes @MRGottschalk A3 The customer cannot read your mind share the knowledge and empower the engagement #TChatJohn Kosic
A3 Effective social cmtys are critical to helping brands learn and adapt & therefore, be relevant. #tchatJoe Sanchez
A3 Not a luxury to know your customer base. #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
A3 Bottom line – information is always power. #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
A3: Plus there is usually some bureaucracy or element of separation btw the user and the org. Commty Mgrs are the face of brand. #tchatChristina Brown
A3 I would think you engage where you “find them”, then build the relationship from there. #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
A3: it’s a skill/capability unto itself – everyone can and should play up thri CEO but that doesn’t mean they can own it. #tchatSusan Mazza
A3 large and disconnected worthless small and connected priceless #tchatJohn Kosic
A3: Leaders & strong org brands have disciples. Inspire them by welcoming community. #tchatBrent Skinner
A3 Branding is a beautiful thing that can hold you to a standard of integrity in the community. #tchatWeston Jolly
A3. #cmgrs create the same feeling you get as when you finally get a cust.serv rep after screaming “rep!!!!” 100x in automated system #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
A3 #Tchat The reason for Brand Ambassadors is simple 1 person pushing out all company info does not have the capacity to be omnipresent.HR Cloud
A3 Modernization has made the community manager a necessity like an engine needs oil to stop friction.#tchatEnzo Guardino
A3: to successfully, cost-effectively grow the business – much cheaper than traditional marketing & it’s sticky + immediate feedback #tchatRichard S Pearson
A3. with so many things being annoyingly automated these days, its nice to talk to a human- #cmgrs = human aspect of business #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
a3. Community managers are responsible for one of the most important elements, real-time engagement with the customer. #tchatMichael Clark
A3: Brand Ambassadors bring big value to brand by using their social equity to increase awareness #TChatSean Charles
A3 3 Reasons: ur customers have gone social, ur customers r talkin’bout u on #socialmedia, ur customers expect u to engage via social #tchatRob Garcia
A3: But you eventually want your users to be little social brand ambassadors as well. Make them leaders. #tchatChristina Brown
A3: ‘Cuz trying 2 go it alone’s insanity. Orgs building brand in social communities need community, by def. #TChatBrent Skinner
A3: Because building relationships and gathering feedback is more than a full-time job, as is managing reputation and presence. #TchatTranscend Coaching
a3. Customers live in the moment now more than ever, organizations must engage in the present. #tchatMichael Clark
A3: Because social is the future (and present). It’s best to engage it rather than ignore it. #tchatRob McGahen
A3) You can decide to welcome your community, or they will form without your guidance. Strategy is also more effective. #tchatTim McDonald
A3. i’d rather go for a co that communicates w me & makes me feel appreciated than talk to an email blast with no communication/cmgr #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
A3: CM have their ear to the ground & in the trenches to hear what the word on street is so to speak – leaders implement the feedback #tchatJen Olney
A3: Community Managers humanizes and understands the brand. They know what users and orgs need to thrive. #tchatChristina Brown
#tchat a3: social demands interaction- listening, caring, thinking, and a continual feedback loopMegan Rene Burkett
A3 Key for engaging (int & ext) to understand how others see Brand, which may be different from how you see it, find out #TChatClaire Crossley
A3: We’re in business for a reason > people! Community Mgrs focus on relationship btwn the two #tchatAlli Polin
A3 – Ambassadors create a broad base that shows fulfillment of the brand promise #TChatLeAnna J. Carey
A3. Because #tchat…that’s it…becauseChris Fields
A3. Absence of brand managers, ambassadors, curators is russian roulette. Slim chance public will get it/share it right, unattended. #tchatSalima Nathoo
A3 Leaders need more data points than just what the yes-men say – need community input – Emperor’s New Clothes #tchatPaul Hebert
A3. Because, at the end of the day, an engaged community will have a positive impact on economic metrics #TChatLilian Mahoukou
A3) People want to talk to a person – not a wall or a logo. A little engagement can create a brand evangelist out of a customer. #tchatAmy Gaerlan
A3: Social media is just as important to monitor as email-you get questions and opinions from prospects, customers, candidates, etc. #tchatBright.com
A3) Your community talks about you. Up to you if you want to listen. Power comes to those who listen. #tchatTim McDonald
A3) The ability to find & adapt to new platforms is critical for businesses to connect with others. #Cmgrs make that happen! #tchatCate Conroy
a3. No matter how deep we go into tech, it’s always going to be about the people behind the device. #tchatMichael Clark
A3: Every ship must have a captain that tests the wind, charts a new course and sets the sails. #TChatTom Bolt
A3 Without them you miss an astounding amount of information – #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
#tchat A3 When your social ambassador isn’t an employee but a customer who became a raving fan – your Brand wins!Bruno Coelho
A3 – re: Why do leaders, companies need social brand ambassadors, community managers? uh because it’s there? #TChatSylvia Dahlby
A3: Simplistic, but if nobody is in charge, nothing will get done according to plan. #TChatTom Bolt
A3 Leaders should BE community managers too… can’t outsource it IMO #tchatPaul Hebert
A3: they serve as interpreters. #tchatEdgar Diaz
Q4: Can you manufacture online communities, or are they best left to develop organically? #tchatTim McDonald
a4. Organic community building creates energetic connections with a brand. #tchatMichael Clark
#tchat A4 Being at the top of the Empire State building shouting to the crowd that can’t hear you + doesn’t care = buying a communityBruno Coelho
A4: Isn’t part of the benefit of online community to authentically learn customer preferences & feedback? How do U manufacture that? #TChatNancy Barry-Jansson
A4 #Tchat Developing a community takes dedication which is manufactured social amplifies who u are & when u engage they respond organicallyNEOGOV
a4. The biggest challenges of the Social Revolution are releasing control and trusting the employee and customer. #tchatMichael Clark
A4 You have to “spark that movement”… #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
A4: it cannot be forced. Facebook works because its ‘cool’ w/ still an element of exclusivity despite 1B users. People want to belong #TChatmatthew papuchis
A4 A little “tinder” (right word?) can’t hurt. #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
a4. You can’t have organic and command and control at the same time. #tchatMichael Clark
A4: Community is built by people who share a passion for the same thing – just need to find each other #tchatAlli Polin
A4 Artificial communities divert and die off. Organic, like roots, they divert and spread out, too, but for the good of the tree. #tchatEnzo Guardino
A4 And yet I sometimes have ppl ask for advice such as “My VP wants 2 communities created this quarter; how do I do it?” #tchatAlice MacGillivray
a4. Organic implies care, quality, connection. #tchatMichael Clark
A4.i promote #tchat b
ecause i love the topics, contributions, and am passionate about what i learn from it. i get excited to share it #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
A4: need to at least create the platform that allows it to happen. Can still be organically grown but people need a place to go 1st #TChatmatthew papuchis
A4. Online communities need to start with a leader or group of individuals but need to be cultivated and open. #tchatTerri Klass
A4 Same method as “managing up”. Let them think it’s their idea. May the force be with you. #tchatKeith Punches
a4. People are the organic part to communities. #tchatMichael Clark
A4: Building community takes patience & a strategic plan of action that supports organic growth #TChatSean Charles
A4: U *have* 2 manufacture, at some point. Identify spontaneous flashpoint; build from there, thru authenticity. #tchatBrent Skinner
A4. you can promote, but don’t promote for sake of promoting. it has to be a passion you want to share #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
A4) You can pay for “likes” on facebook (manufactured), but you can’t get them to give a shit about what you’re saying (nurtured) #tchatMuse Seymour
A4 The best communities are organic, but nothing stopping a company from joining and guiding. #tchatDavid DeWald
A4. If you make me choose between organic communities and GMO ones… guess which one I’ll engage with… #Tchat #social #hippieRob Garcia
a4: It’s like when the boss lets go of the agenda and turns it over to the team to talk about what’s on their mind #tchatAlli Polin
a4. We want the community to take ownership of our brands. #tchatMichael Clark
A4. Organically, with some triggers (crafted from the listening activity) for stimulating the community growth #TChatLilian Mahoukou
A4. A little bit of both, you need people t spark interest/spread the word but then let those interested organically build it #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
A4: Define organic development of a community. At some point, doesn’t *somebody* decide they want to nurture it? #tchatBrent Skinner
A4: Communities form organically, but you can catalyze the conversation, and provide a platform that engages. #TchatTranscend Coaching
A4: Sometimes online communities sprout on their own w/o the leadership of an org. Some are social mov’ts. #tchatChristina Brown
a4. Organizations till soil and plant seeds to create communities, customers add water and light. #tchatMichael Clark
A4. Manufactured communities die down quickly (unless u have an endless budget). Communities can only be nurtured to grow organically #TchatRob Garcia
A4: Once the seed of the community is planted, organic growth is possible. #tchatAlli Polin
A4 Organic makes it relevant – and what we want – and what our audience wants is relevance #tchatPaul Hebert
A4. Organically formed online communities seem more vibrant and dynamic. #tchatTerri Klass
A4 Contests and Fun content/interactions I think can go along way. Brands with strong loyalty can skip that part #tchatShawn LaCroix
A4. Manufacture – cookie cutter community, no. But you can cultivate community through shared values & sharing value. #tchatSalima Nathoo
#tchat A4: manufacturing communities is a no go- find a raving fan and interview them for the comm mgr- they are in. #organicMegan Rene Burkett
A4: You can’t fake it on social media, so organic is best – but a good community manager knows how to move things along. #tchatBright.com
A4) There is no such thing as a “manufactured” community. You can nurture a community to develop organically much faster. #tchatTim McDonald
A4 Facilitate & enable online brand cmtys but recognize that there will also be *passion* cmtys that develop on their own. #tchatJoe Sanchez
#TChat – A4 I think the most “authentic” online communities happen organically, however w/some “fertilizer” from the brand to help it along!Michael!
A4 We can learn a lot from communities of practice experience: nurture rather than manufacture; light touch-not control #TchatAlice MacGillivray
A4: You can set up the framework, but the people drive the rest. #tchatRob McGahen
A4 After reading about rebirth of Hush Puppies in the “Tipping Point”, always felt you can help something ignite. CM can do this. #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
A4: Like corporations, online communities are people, my friend. So no. #tchatChristina Brown
A4: Organically. But you have to build the foundation first. #tchatJen Olney
A4: Yes, but only through authenticity, having brand disciples already, & having a GREAT community manager. #tchatBrent Skinner
A4. I believe that if you take 15 viral marketers & get them to manage about 8-10 accts each, you can create “truth” on the Internet #tchatGarick Chan
A4 Too much control on a community becomes a cult – no organic development – no change #tchatPaul Hebert
A4) I think there has to be some amount of it grown organically. You can’t force community, but you can try and bring people together #tchatMuse Seymour
#tchat A4 You can’t buy people! It’s not about the number of follower but the number of engagements!Bruno Coelho
#Tchat A4: you lay foundations and then nurture organic growthRussell Klosk
A4 You may need to “seed” the community – then let it grow. #tchatPaul Hebert
Q5: What are the pros & cons social communities as an extension of orgs’ talent attraction, recruiting programs? #tchatTim McDonald
A5 if you ensure that empls (not just commty mgr) are active in community then it will replicate the culture of the comp ensuring fit #tchatTim Barry
A5: It’s good work, if you can get it? But seriously, I see mostly pros. Who’s with me? #tchatBrent Skinner
a5. Get over it! The bus is rolling, you better board now or your organization’s going to be forced to walk in a high-speed world. #tchatMichael Clark
a5. So, you want to block employees from social media and attract the best talent? Good luck with that. #tchatMichael Clark
A5 Pros > Cheap, fast and global. Cons > Apply a lot of filtering to find the cream amongst all the sour milk. #tchatEnzo Guardino
Commty values may not match comp’s MRT @AlliPolin A5: need 2 create commty pple want 2 be a part of or they won’t want to work there #tchatTim Barry
A5. Pro / A great way to humanize the talent brand and facilitate connections between potential candidates and employees #TChatLilian Mahoukou
a5. First get your head-heart-body collaborating, then go be social with others. #tchatMichael Clark
A5: Companies that ban their employees from Social Media but want a thriving community miss the mark #tchatAlli Polin
a5. Leaders, get out from behind your oversize desks, face your fears of being social with employees and customers. #tchatMichael Clark
A5 Not the job of one internal person or team to build the brand, all voices matter & keep it real #tchatAlli Polin
A5: Some voices are more valuabe outside than inside. Know the difference. #tchatMarcio Saito
A5: I don’t think orgs do enough online substainable recruitment. #tchatChristina Brown
A5. Employees should be well-informed about the talent attraction efforts. So, communication’s essential to avoid asymetries #TChatLilian Mahoukou
A5. Pro-can continue to develop your brand; con-can end up being less inclusive unless it is continually welcoming #tchatTerri Klass
A5/ hire community managers that understand what the co is looking for in talent so they can keep an eye out for rockstars #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
A5 Pros: Social cmtys, as an extension of orgs’ talent attraction & recruiting programs, can project authenticit
y & credibility. #tchatJoe Sanchez
A5 I’m forever hopeful that the info presented is authentic. #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
a5. Leaders, you better wake-up quick because the world is leaving your organization behind in the cyber-dust. #tchatMichael Clark
A5: Pro – you attract and retain great talent – Con – if it is not monitored, you have a bad brand moment #tchatJen Olney
A5 first and foremost, if u dont have a comprehensive workforce planning and recruiting strategy, talent comms will just create noise #tchatSteve
A5: Org will grow stagnant if there is no diversity of thought. Diverse minds moving together will knit success #TChatTom Bolt
A5) Con – building a social community to promote a brand rather than actively engaging people. #missedthepoint #alienation #tchatAmanda Sterling
A5: Allows candidates to get to know the employer brand & vice versa. Helps filter talent effectively #TChatSean Charles
A5) Only con (which can be overcome) is confidentiality. #tchatTim McDonald
A5. #cmgrs can tell people why it’s a great place to work… but then you have those disgruntled workers that can ruin the brand #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
A5: PRO: People are engaged! CON: They get hired and they feel duped b/c culture doesn’t match community #tchatAlli Polin
A5 Adds to the realistic job (organizational) preview. More info = better matches. #TChatMarla Gottschalk PhD
A5: don’t want brand to be watered down. Want to be inclusive but also want to create a sense of connectedness based on authenticity #TChatmatthew papuchis
a5. The best place to connect with top talent is SoMe. #tchatMichael Clark
A5 – it broadens your recruiting reach – it gives recruits a “taste” of company culture to determine it they “fit” #tchatRichard S Pearson
A5) Now think if you community becomes your recruiting arm in addition to marketing, customer service and sales arm? #tchatTim McDonald
A5: one big plus of social communities as extension of recruiting is improved hiring for cultural fit #TChatSylvia Dahlby
A5: Pros-engagement of that talent! Cons-do it poorly is worse than not at all. #tchatRob McGahen
#TChat A5 con, lack of message control pro: everything ethical is an extension of attract & retain strategyRussell Klosk
A5: You need to create a community that people want to be a part of – or they won’t want to work their IRL #tchatAlli Polin
a5. The Social Revolution is built, created, sustained by the best talent on the planet. #tchatMichael Clark
A5. Pro – a place of mind to deepen connection & broaden ideas. Con – a place of constraint when it becomes unconsciously elitist. #tchatSalima Nathoo
A5) Employees are best referral source for good talent. Encourage them to share socially. #tchatTim McDonald
A5 A zingy community will attract some awesome talent =big plus ~ but what if your community is dowdy……. #tchatCASUDI
A5. talent can learn “the inside scoop” of a company before determining if the culture fits their values. #tchatAshley Lauren Perez
A5. PRO: natural extension of a company’s talent attracting activities… CONS: it can go wrong if your brand is feeble #tchatRob Garcia
A5 Con – too little turnover – too little change #tchatPaul Hebert
A5 Pro – less cultural learning curve – less turnover – less cost #tchatPaul Hebert
A5 Community can help you identify thought and knowledge leaders. Can show talent and skill too. #tchatDavid DeWald
A5 Con – too little diversity #tchatPaul Hebert
A5 Pro – more people that “fit” #tchatPaul Hebert
A5 – IMO online communities can be “manufactured” but only sustained & grown “organically” many examples of this on LinkedIn groups #TChatSylvia Dahlby
00Meghan M. Birohttps://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.pngMeghan M. Biro2012-10-25 11:28:082020-05-25 15:45:06Care & Feeding of Social Communities: #TChat Recap
Online social communities are the voice of your users, buyers, your sales and recruiting prospects, your employees — anyone who’s involved with your products, services or other offerings. Is this impacting the World of Work or what?
Social communities have more power than the individual customer, prospect or employee because they speak with a VERY LOUD voice, even if they’re not all saying the same thing. It’s not just volume any more; it’s reach and amplitude. And, with the number of channels across which these communities interact, you get to contend with the network effect.
One ticked off person talks to you; a ticked off community talks to you and the world. It works the other way as well, but of course we notice it more when communities are unhappy than we do when they’re pleased. This is a direct metaphor with your workplace culture. It’s tough to deny this fact anymore.
I never get tired of talking about social communities and their impact on brands and the recruiting process for the right talent. To broaden the discussion a bit, this week we’re going to add the notion of community managers to our #TChat Twitter get-together.
More companies and organizations are hiring community managers, and the job’s influence is expanding quickly. Of course some communities may organically grow to encompass the need for a community manager, but these tend to happen more with technical communities, and less so with consumer or B2C brands.
When companies decide to develop communities online, they often take a different course. Organizations need to be prepared to manage the trajectory and understand the personalities of people who fit and are passionate about these roles.
Against this backdrop, here are the questions we’ll be discussing this week:
Q1: What is the connection between a social community & a company’s brand?
Q2: What is the role of “community manager” & what does the future of this role look like?
Q3: Why do leaders & companies need social brand ambassadors & community managers?
Q4: Can you manufacture online communities, or are they best left to develop organically?
Q5: What are the pros & cons of social communities as an extension of orgs’ talent attraction & recruiting programs?
The last question is especially important, I think — we need to realize that there are pros and cons of social communities, and pros and cons for community manager roles.
Bringing much wisdom to the discussion, our guest moderator this week is Tim McDonald (@tamcdonald), community manager for HuffPost Live, founder of My Community Manager, and co-organizer of #cmgrUN. Wow! Joining us, too, will be Kevin W. Grossman (@KevinWGrossman) and the rest of the #TChat gang.
So, be prepared: Please bring your experiences and thoughts this Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 7-8pm ET (6-7pm CT, 5-6pm MT, 4-5pm PT, or wherever you are). And, be opinionated — you’re part of the TalentCulture World of Work community, after all.
00Meghan M. Birohttps://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.pngMeghan M. Biro2012-10-23 08:08:442020-05-25 15:44:06The Sound of a Talent Community: #TChat Preview
What’s your morning communications, social media routine like? Mine’s getting more complicated every day. Personally, just email requires checking at least three accounts on three devices. At least one is Gmail, so I green-light Gmail chat and also Google+. Then it’s on to open a Skype window – many clients, friends reach me through Skype instant message. And to make sure I’m truly open, AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo Messenger are active, too. They’re a bit old-school, but a few of my clients still use them, so it’s not really negotiable in my world. Then it’s on to Yammer to check up on the latest and greatest with my teams.
Twitter comes next. Hootsuite, Old School “regular” Twitter, and TweetChat helps me monitor multiple Twitter streams and also makes it simple to cross-populate Facebook and LinkedIn with content. Another communications tool I’ve been checking out is the open-source Trillian, which automates the management of multiple chat clients on both desktop and phone.
When it comes to corporate communications, it’s a whole new ball of wax, Facebook page admins, several WordPress log-ins, all the email and communications platforms like MailChimp, Constant Contact, AWeber and more. There are even ways to communicate via song (Spotify) and visual interest (Pinterest). Granted, not all of these apply to professionalism, but in our connected world, they sure do influence it.
The new tools can also be overwhelming; it’s a matter of choosing and experimenting. But when do we finally just pick and stop experimenting? What works best for workplace collaboration and productivity? Do you stop communicating? Ever?
Actually, no. Facebook is saved for stolen moments between calls and meetings on my end. I’m trying to use it more frequently, and in a way that does not make my friends have to deal with all my tweets (always a work in progress). Let’s not forget Facebook messaging – again, I’m trying to make it work into my weekly routine. And LinkedIn – the ole social standby – is a great business communications tool, so there’s always a browser tab open for it. Mind you, this is all before my first cup of coffee.
Does your social blend in a way that feels comfortable and consistent yet? Do you sense a theme emerging here? I think many people are trying to determine the very best way to manage communications tools both for business and for pleasure.
The irony: in this flurry of activity, there hasn’t been a single F2F social interaction, not even a cat sitting on the keyboard. Over the past year, actual live phone conversations have dropped off a tad. I’ve been making a point to schedule more meetings in person and to call people via Skype, Google Voice, or cell. Sometimes there is simply no time for in-person meetings. I live my business and social life, increasingly, in the world of social media. Some days it doesn’t seem healthy. Some days it feels just right. Some days I wonder how I ever existed without it. Some days I long for more IRL “In Real Life” contact with people.
In this week’s TalentCulture World of Work #TChat – brought to you through the wonders of social media, of course – we’re looking at the good, the bad and the ugly of social communication and workplace collaboration tools. The beauty of Twitter Chats are clear – hundreds of people worldwide can have a discussion in real time, regardless of physical location – but it’s not clear which other social and workplace communications tools deliver a similar value.
And we have a hashtag where people can show up and share content, insight and fun with us 24.7. It’s become a unique online community and we look forward to continuing the conversation this year. We are going with the connection flow and enjoying every moment.
So let’s come together to explore which communications tools add value and which merely distract us from being productive. Because you can’t use them all. Or can you? Join us Wednesday night on #TChat The World of Work January 18th from 7-8 pm ET (6-7 CT, 4-5 pm PT), where social media and communication topics are in the hot seat. Join me, Kevin Grossman, Maren Hogan, Sean Charles and Kyle Lagunas for a very special #TChat.
https://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.png00Meghan M. Birohttps://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.pngMeghan M. Biro2012-01-16 11:05:052020-05-20 18:06:41#TChat Communication Tools: You Can't Use Them ALL
Recently, I have been paying a lot of attention to different chats that happen on Twitter. Quite honestly, these community focused discussions are extremely interesting to me because of what I believe they reveal about the future characteristics of online communities. (If you’re a regular here at TalentCulture, you probably have participated in this community’s popular Wednesday evening #TChats. If not, I recommend you do!)
Collective vs. Individual Ownership
While there is usually someone who has come up with the initial idea for a hashtag, by and large it is owned by the community of participants. No one can trademark or copyright a hashtag. Also, the social nature of the platform makes it difficult to prevent anyone from using it. This collective group ownership is a valuable element of future online communities. When people feel ownership, they become careful stewards of what has been created. In many ways, they are so in love with their experience that they refuse for others to destroy what has been built. As a result, you will often find community members passionately maintaining community norms.
Participation varies and depends on interest/expertise/willingness to share
In online communities there has always been a distribution of participation. With hashtags, there are additional ways to foster participation. For example, even if you are too shy to speak; one can simply re-tweet something that they find especially valuable or interesting. By lowering the barriers of participation, more people are drawn in which is the key to utilizing the collective knowledge of the community.
Many of the most popular are based on niche topics with the core value proposition being the opportunity to learn more
Many hashtags are first and foremost an opportunity for others to learn about an area of interest. This shift away from self-gratification towards mutual gratification is one that I think is especially exciting about these communities. Instead of people hoarding knowledge, hashtag chats give participants an opportunity to share their learnings with others. In the process, valuable social capital is earned which gives people with key insights increased hierarchy within the online community.
Heavily focused on crowdsourcing (Moderator asks questions and variety of people weigh in on the subject, the most popular or well received answers are typically re-tweeted)
Many hashtag chats are loosely organized around the topic of a few questions with the community being asked to respond based on what they think. Within this dynamic, community participants can ask burning questions that are on their mind around the subject of interest. This simultaneous loose and rigid structure is especially appealing to participants. In addition, the real-time nature of the communication channel enables moderators and community members to key in on subjects that are of great interest. This helps keep the interest of community members and keeps them coming back each week to learn more about a specific topic.
While these trends are just developing, it will be interesting to see how they evolve to become what I believe will be the foundation of successful online communities moving forward. This represents a shift from the closed model that many web 1.0 communities were based upon.
Remember, the model that forced you to register for a site to figure out if the community was interesting. Once you realized it wasn’t, they already had your email address to spam you with. No longer! In this new dynamic, you have to show your worth in the open community before people will even give you a chance to move into a closed, intimate relationship.
This dynamic is especially crucial for employers who are seeking to engage with prospective candidates to master. By moderating online discussions around subjects related to their industry, company, or individual opportunities, employers can create a dynamic recruiting environment that will be irresistible to candidates.
https://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.png00TalentCulture Team + Guestshttps://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.pngTalentCulture Team + Guests2011-06-18 11:30:262020-05-20 17:17:53Twitter Chats Reveal the Future of Online Communities
Originally posted by Chris Jones, a TalentCulture contributing writer. He is an IT Strategy & Change Management consultant, with a passion for driving new levels of engagement and learning in the modern organization. His research areas include the dynamics of organization culture, and more recently, the importance and implications of critical thinking. Check out his blog, Driving Innovation in a Complex World, for more.
In our increasingly complex world, the compelling need for strong leadership and resilience to “clear the path” for change is evident. It’s a core message from Chip and Dan Heath’s “Switch” that resonates with pretty much everyone in the corporate world. Clarity of vision is paramount. Conviction to achieve it, just as critical for any dynamic workplace or social community.
These ideas are not new.
It’s just getting harder and harder to survive without a strong, hardened competitive edge, an edge sharpened by effective collaboration.
The ability of an organization to solve its hardest problems lies deep in its inner workings. Can team members from multiple backgrounds and disciplines work together to develop new insights and solutions? Do they have the tools and skills, or can they acquire them?
Surely there’s an application for this?
It sounds straightforward in principle, but culture often works against us, fueled by the western industrial model forged on hierarchy and silo-thinking. In these environments, specialization and experts rule the roost, and collaboration will typically struggle. I conducted deep dives on culture barriers in 2010 and I’m increasingly convinced cultures can, over time, be intentionally redirected. But it takes focus and rigor, and a long-term investment of energy. More recently I looked at some insights from Peter Senge that seem to resonate even more now than they did 20 years ago, when he first wrote about team-based learning.
I’m starting to talk more about intentional collaboration to refer to the strategic, rigorous approach to group interaction and problem solving. This helps distinguish it from the more casual references and idle claims. Everything today is “collaborative.” So how do we drive meaning into the words, and more rigor into the desired behaviors?
Here are some ideas for a more serious approach to collaboration:
Give collaboration a broad, compelling mandate
Find ways to open communication channels to get people not just talking together, but thinking together
Empower contributors with direction, training, and feedback
People are more comfortable if they know who they’re talking to; make sure they’re introduced to each other or have a published profile, to help people connect and break the ice
Encourage interplay of ideas across all specialties and levels, to foster diversity of thinking
Invest in tools that make it easy to find, share, tag and reflect on people and their ideas, key steps toward becoming a social enterprise
Respect everyone’s thought space by not cluttering channels with noise or trivia
Visibly acknowledge and reward the hard work of critical thinking and cross functional solutions; openly celebrate wins
Embrace and leverage the latest drivers in organizational change management, including “Switch” (linked above) and Drive by Daniel Pink, which contains additional clarity on change motivators.
Refuse to turn back
Organizations, leaders, and teams need to learn by doing. Trial and error need time to happen. Soon there will be some wins. Emerging from that, fueled by small successes, I believe organizations will find themselves increasingly motivated to take on harder problems, building a repeatable capacity for learning.
What are the other challenges that lie ahead?
Organizational silos do not dissolve by decree. Silos and silo thinking are fueled by the organization’s culture, and can only be dismantled by a concerted, coordinated effort – from both the top and the bottom – to redefine the way things work in the middle.
The hard work of introducing collaboration also requires people to interact in profoundly new ways. It requires new kinds of relationships, placing new kinds of demands on the organization, with focus on trust, respect, open dialog, empathy, and even basic listening. All too often, the approaches themselves fall on deaf ears.
No doubt, there’s much work ahead, but it is work worth pursuing.
Can you see a path to collaboration in your own organization? Share what you’ve seen working. I would love to bring focus to some bright spots in this important space.
https://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.png00TalentCulture Team + Guestshttps://talentculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TCLogo_web-272x60-1.pngTalentCulture Team + Guests2011-01-14 12:11:562020-05-20 16:45:07Intentional Collaboration: The Mechanics of Learning to Learn Together
TalentCulture is a trailblazing HR marketing company offering advertising, media, executive and corporate branding, research, and social promotions via our global learning community.