Comments on: Is Social Media for everyone?

By: 7 ways brands miss out when they lack social strategy | FRANkVizeum - Brand Strategy Company | Media Innovation | Social Media Strategy

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:22:00 +0000

[...] content and social profiles can get your website noticed, talked about and shared. But maybe social media isn’t for everyone? I believe this is what’s happening while you sit on the [...]

By: Tamir

Tamir — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:47:52 +0000

Great topic Mudge. I believe every brand can benefit from having a conversation with people. The solution might not be as easy as making an ad (can someone measure the impact of worksafe’s latest TV ad?) How about having a place where injured employees can talk with each other? what kind of brand recognition/real help will this create? There are plenty of ways worksafe can use social tools but at the moment they’re paying the price of inaction.

By: Marek

Marek — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:03:58 +0000

I would agree and disagree.
Worksafe is all about getting people to talk about safety, bring it to the forefront and get people engaged in a somewhat boring but important issue. How is this different from most NGOs who have had success in using social media for their efforts of awareness and fundraising?

Without knowing the specifics of the organisation or the objectives (*disclaimer*), I could think of several ways in which social media could play a role in workplace safety and education.

Some examples could be:
- a community for OH&S managers/co-ordinators, in which they can share experiences and provide each other guidance and advice, all empowered through worksafe training information.
- an anonymous but public place for airing workplace issues. “I am worried about x & y – what should i do? – worksafe could then encourage or counsel the best course of action to address issues in an environment that is low risk for employees or business owners.
- Could create a worksafe linkedin rating system, where employers who pass inspections or following appropriate procedures receive a stamp/badge of approval, signaling their commitment to workplace safety to current and future colleagues.

While these are tactical rather than strategic ideas, the underpinning problem I tend to have with statements of ‘not seeing a place for social media’ is that such opinions tend to be informed by a narrow view of what social media is, or could mean for a company.

By: martyn thomas

martyn thomas — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:19:38 +0000

Steve’s concern that people may not want to ‘interact’ with Worksafe on a daily basis is well founded. However there may be a less frequent need or opportunity to have a dialogue with companies over new legislation, heightened awareness of what not to do, what to do etc.
I don’t know enough about the Worksafe relationship with individuals within companies but its probably worth the effort to discover what they might find useful rather than second guess that no one will want to talk to you.