Abstract--How Barack Obama's Social Media Policy Paved the Way to The White House

Recent advances in technology have impacted all aspects of life in America, from how we run businesses to how we shop to how we entertain ourselves. These advances had a significant impact on the 2008 Presidential election. In 2008 Barack Obama won the presidential election by defeating John McCain. A large part of his victory can be attributed to his campaigns use of social media. They were able to engage potential voters through the use of social network websites, email, text messaging, online video and Barack Obama’s own website.

In previous elections other politicians have used social media as a means to fundraise and communicate with potential voters. However President Obama used social media more effectively than anyone in the past. President Obama embraced social media from the inception of his campaign while his opponent failed to do so.

As businesses evolve into the future the lesson’s of Barack Obama’s social media philosophy can teach us many things. This philosophy can be a roadmap for businesses to successfully integrate social media into their day to day operations.

Motivation

What motivates you? Why do you do what you do? Do you love your job, or is it a means to an end? I was once asked to prepare for a meeting I was going to by bringing with me something that was important to me, what motivated me and something that made me happy. How do you stay motivated at work? What do you do to motivate your employees?

Alot of answers that day of course were family, loved ones, money and happiness. But is there something that you hold dear to your heart that every time you think about it you want to work that much harder? If you are a manager how do you bring that out in your employees?

My answers to these of course are my family, but also money, I cant lie who is not motivated by money. But, something that has stuck with me since I saw it is a speach I heard in 1993. Its a speach given by Jim Valvano at the 1993 ESPY awards 4 months before he died of Cancer. Jimmy V was a college basketball coach who was great at motivating. Take 10 minutes to watch this video of the speach. After watching, is there a speach that you have heard either live or on the internet that you are motivated by?

Enjoy

Lebron

This past week superstar Lebron James announced via "the decision" aired on ESPN that he would be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and joining the Miami Heat. He has every right to have made this decision, it was a business decision for him and his family. He is arguably the best player to ever play the game ( in my opinion he is not, but many think he could be). Many criticized him for leaving Cleveland and also for the way he went about announcing his decision. I think it could have been done in a different way, but on the other hand he raised 5 million dollars for the boys and girls club, so who could argue with that.

The NBA is a business and it always will be. After the decision aired the Cleveland Cavs owner came out publically with a letter that in my opinion was childish and unprofessional. To me, it sounded like a rich man not getting what he wants. He personally guaranteed that the Cavs would win a title before Lebron does. The question I have for you, what do you think of the letter? As managers we will be faced with employees leaving all the time and must realize that most times this will be a business decision of our employees and wont be personal.

This letter by the owner of the team was a terrible display for his organization. He should have written a letter to the Cleveland fans exclaiming they will survive and wishing Lebron well, not berading him for a decision that he had every right to make.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Quick Start to Social Media for your Business

I found a great video on youtube in regards to Social Media Marketing in 3 minutes. Its a quick overview on how social media can help your business marketing. It could be a great video to show someone at your company who may be heistatant about entering the world of social media for your business.
How many of your company's are using Social Media? If yes, what are you doing? If no, do you see your company pursuing Social Media in the future?
Just this year my company started a Social Media Marketing campaign via youtube and facebook and so far the response has been good. From my experience it takes alot of training and time to get your employees on board the new approach. As managers I think we have embraced the idea, but now we are faced with the task of educating our employees and implementing the correct strategies. If you were to start using social media at your company what tools would you use to get started?

Its a short 3 minute video.