Why Should the CEO Lead Social Business?
Simple answer: Your business, market, and employees want and need the CEO to lead by example.
"If your actions inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams
Why Are CEOs Slow to Embrace Social Business?
There are a lot of excuses made that lead to the slow adoption of social business by CEOs. Below are a number of common responses we at Socially Savvy hear when asking CEOs why they do not participate in social media:
Our industry is too regulated.
There is not a measurable return on investment.
Other executives lead our social media efforts.
Our customer trends older and is not on social media.
That degree of transparency is too risky.
Be Bold and Reap the Rewards
Gone are the days when a CEO could get away with turning a blind eye to the socially and technologically savvy.
Below are a number of benefits that evidence why the CEO should activate and optimize his or her social business brand and identity:
Social business enables and enhances communication with employees, customers, partners and the media.
Social business positively impacts the company's reputation, authority and credibility.
Customers look to social channels for news and information.
A social CEO gives the company an authentic face and personality.
Social participation demonstrates currency with the market.
Leadership from the top inspires others to engage in social business.
Actively listening to the market and sharing information to shape the dialogue represents a competitive differentiator.
Being social allows CEOs to better understand the competition, employees needs and the organization holistically.
Social business builds corporate identity and approachability which assists to attract and retain talent.
"Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is about doing new things." - Theodore Levitt
Take Aways
Leadership requires action. A CEO engaging in social business will inspire others in their organization.
Social proficiency improves through participation. Forward looking CEOs should start now, set goals in social channels, act, measure and double down where results are achieved.
Find inspiration to engage in social business by auditing the social footprint of your competition's leadership team. This will likely spur competitive instincts and yield results, whether you are a market leader or a fast follower.