Pinto Productions

Dilbert has always been one of my favorite comic strips. I honestly don’t know how Scott Adams does it. It’s not like he has worked in a traditional office setting in the past two decades. He must have some good spies!

Here’s one aimed at Social Media Marketing Managers (SMMMs?!?), a position that is popping up at more and more companies these days:

The Social Media Marketing Manager’s job is often made difficult by their company’s general distaste and distrust for social networks based on statistics (and rumors) about lost productivity and other negatives such as poor company representation (aka, employees and others who openly slam the company), affiliation with irresponsible employees, leaking of company secrets, etc.

But I think you’re far better off having someone in this position who knows what they are doing than to 1) do nothing, or 2) let a random employee who “has a lot of Facebook friends” and Tweets a lot take the lead on your company’s Social Media Marketing efforts.

Here’s another one that made me laugh:

There’s another misconception nothing “serious” happens on social networks, that it’s just a of soccer moms and juveniles posting worthless drivel and embarrassing photos for all their friends and family and future (or current) employees to see.

Not true. Those “soccer mom’s” are also avid consumers, and they talk a LOT about the products and services they use most. And when you reach them on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, they have a much easier time spreading your message, both positively and negatively (if/when necessary).

As for the “juveniles,” not all of them are irresponsible. Not only that, they will eventually become customers, so if you have a message that is right for them, go ahead and share it now. And again, don’t underestimate their ability to spread the word (good or bad) – and FAST!

Outside of those two stereotypes, there are people from just about every other walk of life joining Facebook and Twitter and other social networks every day. Baby Boomers are on the rise at the moment. I’m sure kids are the next wave, as Facebook continues to refine their privacy settings. Heck, they even made a movie about social networks. It’s here. Everyone is doing it. Stop resisting (if that’s describes you) and just embrace it. You’ll gain more in friendships, business, and enjoyment than you will ever lose in privacy or productivity. I promise.

These Dilbert comics and more can be seen at www.Dilbert.com.