Christopher Barger « Word of Mouth Marketing | Social Media, Search, Blog, and Viral Marketing

Posts tagged ‘Christopher Barger’

How Has Social Media Changed Your Life?

The other day, I was pontificating (as I often do) about how technology has changed our lives. If you think about it, our lives are completely different than there were a mere 5 years ago, not to mention 20 years ago. I remember the days before e-mail, but I can’t remember what it was like in the workplace without e-mail. I remember that cell phones started taking off right when I got my first traveling sales job, which made my life so much easier. Technology has fundamentally changed how we interact, build relationships, and do business.

Naturally, my thoughts migrated to social media and the underlying question, “how has social media changed our lives?” So, I decided to pose the question to my various networks out there on the social web. The answers varied, but were fascinating and very telling. I thought I would share a few with you:

Sarah Lewis of Findable Blogs, a Boise based blogging expert, said: “Social media helps me both professionally (leads & collaboration) and personally (reduces isolation, even as a new mom).”

Mike Diliberto, Sales Engineer at MindTouch and fellow T-Bird, said: “Social media has increased my cognitive breadth; pre-social media, maintaining connections with hundreds of people would be impossible.”

Norris Krueger, founder of Entrepreneurship Northwest and noted social entrepreneurship expert, said: “Getting less done but.. maybe just maybe… getting better things done!”

Martin Johncox, PR Director for Alexander and Associates, said: “It’s opened up new business opportunities in lean times; connected me with long-lost friends; re-connected me with colleagues.”

George Condit, Account Manager at Seybold Scientific and distinguished curmudgeon, said: “I can ask the world a question and get an answer.”

Donna Geisler, principal at FusionSet, said: “Social media makes me feel overwhelmed with opportunity and underwhelmed with time. Otherwise, it’s great!”

Tia Markland, Publisher of Eagle and Meridian Magazines, said “Increased sales and awareness for business.”

However, I would have to say that one of the most personal answers I received was from Chris Barger, who is the Director of Global Communications Technology for General Motors, who wrote me a fascinating and in-depth answer. Here is a snippet from his response: “Social media turned out to be the Acme Rocket Pack strapped to the back of my career, and made my American Dream a reality.”

I would have to say that I have found my experience to be in line with all of these wonderful answers. Social has made life more meaningful for me. It has helped me create deeper relationships, build my network, and has proven to be an invaluable business tool. However, I would have to say my answer most closely aligns with Chris Barger’s. It is because of social media that I have the career I do today.

How has social media changed your life?

February 12, 2009 at 1:18 pm bcritchfield 4 comments

Big Brands Diving into Social Media

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I had a chance to speak at the Blogging for Business Conference in Salt Lake City today (and no, I am not tooting my own horn, well, maybe I am). At risk of being a name dropper, for the second time in less than a month, I had the chance to hear Christopher Barger, the Director of Global Communications Technology for GM, speak as the keynote the conference.

I was again impressed with how some of the bigger brands, like GM, are embracing the changing nature of marketing by not only hiring someone like Chris, but giving him enough leash to do what he needs to do. According to Chris, there are still some big challenges working within corporate America, but when GM not only has major executives blogging, but has executives from their Hummer division sitting down for candid conversations with green bloggers, you know the landscape has changed.

I was equally impressed with Jake McKee, who used to be the Global Community Development Director for Lego. His entire speech was about the Lego MINDSTORMS product and the project to lunch a new MINDSTORMS unit. They went out to the community and recruited 4 influencers to participate in the product design process. Once the product was launched, the results were absolutely amazing. There was an existing community in place and Lego finally included them in the brand. The co-creation process drove instant adoption. (By the way, Jake is now on his own and can be found at www.communityguy.com.)

It finally hit me today that big brands are finally starting to get it. GM and Lego are only a few of the corporate behemoths that are starting to experiment with community involvement and social media. A friend of mine, Tac Anderson, is trying to change HP from the inside out. The great thing about it is these brands have the budget to experiment with different ideas and tactics. Social media has always been known as the great equalizer and now big brands are turning the tables by learning how to compete in this new environment.

Not to be outdone, Jason Brown of Brown Lures gave a great presentation how a small start up is taking on the retail distribution cesspool by using social media to generate passion among fishing hobbyists. They are now able to leverage their fan base to drive retail shops clamoring to their door in order to carry their products.

The message came across loud and clear, no matter the business you are in, you need to be involved in social media and you need to develop a model of engagement rather than interruption.

What examples of brands big and small have you seen embracing social media?

June 6, 2008 at 10:08 pm bcritchfield 3 comments