Shel’s top five reasons why companies resist social media

Shel Holtz knows his social media. He’s also an expert on organizational communications. In a blog post today, he lists the most common reasons for companies to resist wading into the social media waters:

1. IT won’t let us

2. It will be abused

3. Management fears loss of control

4.  Legal and regulatory risks

5. We don’t have the time or resources

From my experience, I agree wholeheartedly with Shel’s list, with reason #5 being the most common lament. Most of the corporate communicators with whom I work are drowning in projects, struggling to keep their heads above water. What do you think?

Comments

[Shauna Turpie]

I am a PR student and not yet a professional corporate communicator so I can only speculate on how busy one would be.
But while these people are very busy, there are a number of communicators, especially us emerging students, who would be happy to take on the job of blogging or podcasting for our company.
I am new to the space since beginning to learn and practice it for my online PR class. However, if that was a part of my job or I was asked to take it on, I would be more than happy to.
I think many organizations simply are not educated on social media. So it is going to take some determined practitioners to demonstrate the benefits of utilizing this space and how important it is becoming.

[Kevin Daoust]

I do agree with the list, but I would add a sixth point in that companies wouldn't know what type of content to put up.

For example, it's one thing to say "we should have a podcast" but it's another to say what will be on it. Let's face it, a podcast that has bad content isn't very useful.

However, if the content is tied in with an overall marketing and communications strategy, ideas may pop up more easily.

[Donna Papacosta]

Shauna, I agree with you that many organizations would do well to encourage their young employees to execute some of these tactics. The problem is in the strategizing -- when leadership has no time to consider the big picture.

Thanks for commenting.

[Donna Papacosta]

Yes, Kevin. The social-media-type content must be tied into the overall comms strategy. Thanks for commenting!