Comments on: The Leaders that are Helping Social Media Grow Up

By: Ken Burbary

Ken Burbary — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:22:12 +0000

Thanks Rachel, I concur. We're both making the same point. And you took it a bit further by cataloging the firms currently best suited to help companies with this challenge. I'm working hard to make EY one of them as well. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with you, Jim and the CR community on the nuts and bolts of social business design.

By: DR. WHAW? – August 27, 2009 « One true sentence.

DR. WHAW? – August 27, 2009 « One true sentence. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:08:04 +0000

[...] The Leaders that are Helping Social Media Grow Up by Ken Burbary — If it feels like social media needs to grow up sometimes, it’s because [...]

By: Rachel Happe

Rachel Happe — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:29:45 +0000

I think our heads are in the same place – I just posted the following about the consolidation of social enterprise consulting firms – http://community-roundtable.com/2009/08/the-soc...

And, yes, high time we started getting down to the nuts and bolts of how this changes business.

By: Ken Burbary

Ken Burbary — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:08:16 +0000

You raise an important point. More social outlets doesn't translate to doing social better. Some companies may find that their audience exists in few social destinations, and the right approach is to stick to targeting those few. For others, like starbucks in the report, a broad strategy may be more appropriate.

I see your point. The report may not have been perfect but still shed some valuable light on how big brands are getting into the social waters. The means by which we evaluate comapnies social efforts will continue to change, until the space does more maturing.

By: Back To Practice: Flying With The Altimeter Group » A Day in the Life of Jonathan “Jon” Gillardi… aka “Johnny Montana”

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:18:58 +0000

[...] Ken Burbarry, Web Business [...]

By: Back To Practice: Flying With The Altimeter Group « Web Strategy by Jeremiah Owyang | Social Media, Web Marketing

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:28:19 +0000

[...] Ken Burbarry, Web Business [...]

By: Jamie Favreau

Jamie Favreau — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:45:26 +0000

Very good analysis of the situation.

I agree speaking "Tweet" is not a strategy and most of the sites used are just that "tools." It is when we break down the parts and put them together for someone who understands how to translate them into ROI and the importance of being in the space this industry begins to grow.

So many people want to have a blog and don't understand the importance of being engaged or why it can benefit your business. So when you have a leader take charge, complete a strategy and teach people how to make this better for all of us. This is when our industry grows.

By: stevenpaulmatusmoto

stevenpaulmatusmoto — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:42:57 +0000

Bravo Ken! I have often said that Social Media is still very much in its infancy and your post confirms it. I am often asked what the business value is in Twitter by those unfamiliar with it, or claim “not to get it.” I have many personal testimonials as to the “Business” value of Twitter and plan to write a case study on an event I am producing as a result of a Tweet and the resources gained as a result of relationships on Twitter. Social Media is a key part of my company's PR and marketing strategy because it allows us to provide value first and have potential clients contact us.

By: tjcnyc

tjcnyc — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:32:21 +0000

Ken, I'm a fan of Jeremiah Owyang and agree there is strong talent at Altimeter.

I'm hoping he brings some of Forrester's discipline and objectivity to the company.

I was disappointed in Altimeter's "study" in which brands got a high rating if they do a whole lot of different things (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Wikis, crowdsourcing blogs, etc). IMHO, it was transparently a sales piece rather than a true study.

The analogy is a Kool-Aid stand ranking people by how much Kool-Aid they drink; we must be careful not to conflate activity and success.

If Social Media wants a seat at the grown-up table, the industry's leaders must take it there. With the addition of Jeremiah, I think Altimeter has a shot at being a true leader.

By: warrenss

warrenss — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:54:43 +0000

Excellent post Ken. Perhaps the formation of the social media “dream teams” like Altimeter and Dachis is a signal that we're moving down the maturity model path focused on strategy and integration. Let's hope that this is a call to action to get beyond the kumbaya of the “greatness” of social media, and move towards implementing tangible business value.