Amybeth Hale, affectionately and accurately named the Research Goddess, is a leader in social networking/social media and is adept at leveraging both for the purpose of sourcing talent. A relative newbie to the sourcing and recruiting game, she started in 2002, she is an important voice and evangelist in our space. I like her so much I have her on my blog roll over there on the right. Not to mention she is from Ohio, my home state, so I am showing a little Buckeye love.
I wanted to point you to her post today on whether or not you should be using social media, blogging etc. as part of your sourcing and recruiting strategy. She uses the quote from the Michael Crichton film Jurassic Park (one of my all time faves) where Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcom questions the idea of cloning dinosaur embryo's with frog DNA to create living dino's - "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think about if they should..."
Amybeth drives the analogy point home with this set of MONEY statements:
- Anyone CAN start a blog. But should YOU?
- Anyone CAN set up a Facebook Fan page. But should YOUR company?
- Anyone CAN tweet on behalf of their business. But are you ready to give up that much official control?
- Anyone CAN decide to implement mobile marketing. But is your audience going to be receptive to it?
The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Practice some patience, do your homework, and find out if it’s right for you, your team, and your company first before pressing forward. Otherwise you run the risk of ruining your reputation or your brand image. Look before you leap!
I work with many clients who, the moment I arrive on site, start talking to me about how they need a social media strategy, need a preence on Twitter, need a Facebook page etc. etc. etc. It like herding cats to get them to slow down and stop talking Buzzspeak and think about what they are saying.
Amybeth sums up what I feel and think on this topic. Sheer brilliance from my fellow Buckeye! Go read her entire piece over on her site...
Oh, and before I forget, here one of my favorite clips from the movie Jurassic Park.
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