I put together a social media workshop for today with a Delaware-based company, engage3SIXTY. It was really great, and I think the attendees got some helpful insight and information. Most of them were not that… savvy. But what was most interesting to me was the discussion a few of us had afterward, just kind of shooting the breeze, and comparing technological advancements that have occurred in our lifetimes. It was neat (yes, I said neat) since we all differed in age and so were at different life stages when, let’s say, CD players were still in high demand. Or when iPods first debuted. Or when vinyl went from being obsolete to becoming a retro trend.
The progression of technology, of social media and other means of communication is bewildering. It seems to have started growing exponentially at some point, with some new platform or method or networking site popping up left and right. I am at a stage where I am beginning to feel that kind of reluctancy I see in my older co-workers. I am not old, but habits die hard and comfortability, well, we never want that to go away. But I am resolved to not become the older workforce I come in contact with so often. I pledge to myself, my future much-younger colleagues, and the world wide web that I will not grow weary from changes, I will ever educate myself on the latest means and I will never ever ever refuse to use a new form of technology that is proven to make business more effective.
A co-worker actually once said, ‘I don’t want to have to use the website,’ when told about the great online management tools for payroll processing. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Oh, you don’t want to use the resources and technology available to you that make business better and your job easier? Riiiiight. And that is why any business will fail, when leadership will not grow or learn or are afraid of change. If you are completely comfortable in your job, and the only challenges you face are co-workers who want to change things (heaven forbid), then YOU, my non-friend, are the weakest link.
