I’ve just finished a great chat with Joe Jaffe, CEO and Chief Interrupter over at crayon.
We discussed Social Media and its strategic implications for businesses, and as could be expected from us, we both became increasingly passionate about how and why companies should consider this new online conversation pit and add it to their whole communication mix.
In a delicious example of serendipity I then received a phone call from Gerry McCusker and we discussed the ‘state of play’ of Australian business and its relationship with good communication.
Much of what Joe and I had discussed was echoed in the discussion with Gerry, with one key difference: it would appear that our colleagues in the Northern Hemisphere enjoy far more respect than our business communication brethren here in the Southern Hemisphere.
There is far greater reluctance by business communicators within organisations here to ‘take a risk’ and add these new communication tools to their communication strategy. Perhaps because the tenure of the average Aussie business communicator is not as secure as their US or European peers; come any smell of ‘business re-alignment’ and Aussie communicators start dusting off their resume.
I suggested to Gerry that perhaps a fortnightly skype conference call (or ooVoo video conference) between some of the key players in this space in Australia might be in order, so that we can network, share ideas and experiences, share our wisdom.
Aside: The sorts of people I’m thinking of including in this conference call are myself, Gerry, Trevor Cook, Laurel Papworth, JJ, Jon Hoel, Kristin Westlake, Alex Manchester, Ross Monaghan, Marnie McDonald, Steve Noble… or maybe this would be too big a group. What’s your thoughts?
But thanks again to Gerry for a great conversation and thanks to Joe Jaffe for taking time out of his hectic day to yack with his Aussie mate! If you are interested, I will be releasing the chat with Joe in a few weeks — watch this space!
————
