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BLG Leadership Insights

Media Companies on the Edge: Should Businesses Invest in Social Media Campaigns?

Traditional media companies are turning to online videos in order to attract a new generation of fans and followers.

Media companies from Forbes to Fast Company have their own ‘video’ sections on their websites—as well as their usual article offerings.

That’s right, even the New Yorker has a few videos proudly displayed.

What can their transformation teach the business world and leaders?

What Can We Learn From This Media Revolution?

It’s wise for traditional media companies to realize that they aren’t exactly in the business of selling books or articles, but rather distributing needed/desired information. So, it’s no surprise that some established media companies, knowing their audience is increasingly online and equipped with smart-phones, are trying to produce interesting online video.

Traditional media’s desire to publish online content is similar to companies pushing for an increased social media presence in order to target and talk to a larger audience. However, as we have seen, efforts to use social media have sometimes failed…and badly.

So what does a business do? Risk reinvention in order to target a new generation of fans, but potentially lose focus…and customers? Or, stick to its core business, perfect it, and abandon all efforts to remain cutting edge?

The problem is highlighted best in the media industry. Let’s look at two examples of media firms that have either chosen to embrace the internet or merely accept it.

Successful Online Reinvention:

HarperCollins: You can’t leave your house in the morning without hearing about the ‘death of print’. However, HarperCollins refuses to lay down and collect dust. They have decided to kick their online presence into overdrive and host a series of highly produced videos that revolve around their newest offerings….

Continue reading “Media Companies on the Edge: Should Businesses Invest in Social Media Campaigns?”
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BLG Leadership Insights

3 Tested Strategies to Empower Employees

Managerially competent leaders who sustain momentum are experts at empowering individuals and groups to perform specific tasks or processes in the pursuit of their agenda. The most effective leaders understand that their ability to deliver results and to engage others with the responsibility and authority of getting things done.

Douglas Conant, CEO of Campbell Soup Co., knows this lesson well. In his recent interview with Forbes he stresses the importance of engaging employees in order to secure better results. Mr. Conant says the following techniques helped him dramatically engage employees and increase productivity:

  • Find Leaders From Within: Mr. Conant replaced 300 managers with leaders from within the company. It was a clear illustration of caring for the team and people at Cambell Soup Co..
  • Learn to Celebrate Success: It’s easy to find success stories within organizations and they should be celebrated. You can skip the balloons and the cake–but you should make an effort to share a lunch with a few colleagues who have done something positive.
  • Write Thank-You Notes: It’s easy to send a quick email but it’s not worth much–no matter how many exclamation points you use. Instead, try writing a small, personalized, thank-you note to team members who’ve done a great job. It shows you care and it shows that you have time for people, not just profits.

Mr. Conant motivates his team and enhances his organization’s cultural momentum by largely guiding individual self-motivation. He wants everyone to feel like an integral part of the team. Thank-you notes, small lunches, and hiring leaders from within help Mr. Conant show his team that he cares about everyone and, as Campbell’s success is showing, his team cares about doing a better job.