Some of us have heard the phase to assume makes an ass of u and me…. So does the assumption that everyone will do as you wish them to do online. The Internet has allowed unprecedented growth in social areas. We have seen regimes fall , Government changes, mass mobilizations of citizens never before accomplished so quickly except through social media.
This is the good of social media. The bad has been out there for all of us to see as well. The internet has allowed for the private individual to be outspoken and hate without putting their name or neck on the line. Freedom of speech in all its glory and riches…and foolishness.
Which is why I am still amazed that large corporations assume that people will do what they want them to do when given a platform to speak. Mc Donalds recently did that through their now infamously failed twitter campaign. You can read about it hear. Why they assumed people would only tell good stories about them amazes me. Not only was some media executive looking through rose colored glasses but he or she had blinders on to boot.
The Internet has shown when people have unlimited freedom to comment about you its mostly going to be negative. IF you don”t want that kind of transparency you need to shape it in such a way to limit that type of exposure that is negative. IF you want full complete transparency then you need to be prepared to handle it as Mc Donalds surely wasn’t. They had no plan other then an assumed rosy concept that people would play nice with them. People do not play nice..not when your that large of a company and have had documentaries made about you that are primarily negative and have been promoted as one of the main causes of Child hood obesity.
But they are not the only ones. I was amazed at the way major brands are seeking customers feedback and comments without a structured system. This was apparent at this years Consumer electronic show and its a dangerous road to go down if your not prepared for it.
SO HAVE A PLAN do not assume especially when your dealing with customers and social media interaction. You may end up with a number 5 supersized on your face just like McDonalds.
