I was in France when I shot this video.
In it, I talk about differences in Social Media adoption rates between the US and Europe as well as between B2B and B2C companies.
Also in this video, some thoughts about understanding your business first, Social Media second, and a quick little visual tour of the Suquet (the setting for the video). Shot in Cannes, the week after the 2010 Cannes Lions. Enjoy.
Good words Olivier.
Again, you speak sense – and you also speak what will no doubt be discussed by people more regularly.
I can imagine now many will follow your lead. Your integration peice seems all the more pertinent – and also reminds me of the truth of the matter – knowing your business first!
And, LOL on your final Foursquare shout out. “I conquered you” – That line could’ve been in a movie
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Olivier Blanchard, Brand Lifestyle and others. Brand Lifestyle said: Improve Your Brand: Social Media adoption rates are what they are for a reason. http://bit.ly/9osS54 [...]
I came, I foursquared, I conquered.
This is true for more than just social media (obvious comment, I know but hear me out). But if you know who your business is and how you are going to improve your customer’s life/solve THEIR problems (this is what it’s all about) then you will be wildly successful.
I really think that many businesses get trapped by this myopic paradigm, where all they are focused on is their world and their problems. I’m reminded of the ‘how’s the water/what water?’ joke. As huge leaders and purveyors of opinion in our society (for good or bad), businesses have to rise above their petty problems to see the larger picture – how are they going to help others.
I know that to some extent that sounds like the opinion of a hopeless romantic, but I am an optimist and I can back it up. Look at Apple. At the All Things Digital conference, Steve Jobs said (and i’m paraphrasing, but this is the jist of it): “At Apple we want to make the best device with the best apps, etc. And if we succeed, then people will buy it. If we don’t, they’ll let us know and we can retool. It’s that simple”
Also, the panorama: that’s absolutely gorgeous!
Dude, you’re spot-on. Absolutely. And that doesn’t make you a romantic or an optimist. It makes you wise. You;re a leader, not just a mere manager. It’s that simple.
And yeah, the view up there didn’t suck.
That is a great complement Olivier; thank you.
err, compliment, even.
Such a thought leading piece. Social Media is the ‘tactical’ element of the business plan. A very enjoyable to implement one at that!
BTW – I just got outed as Major of the Roof Top Bar in Ho Chi Minh City and there is not a damn thing I can do about it now. Surprisingly very painful!
Ah man. That sucks. I guess you’re going to have to fly back to HCMC and reclaim your mayorship now. Great reason for a trip.
As usual great post and thoughts. You and I must have been channeling the same spirit recently, because I had similar thoughts in a recent post. I basically like to group my clients social media strategy into 3 categories: Know your brand; Know your customer and; Know your plan. The social media implementation doesn’t happen until the final steps after they know the first 2 things.
BTW, I did give you some love in the post as one of the greatest influencers on my thinking. Thanks for what you do and keep up the good work.
Aww. Thanks, man.
Great post, just plain old common sense which is usually the best advice you can ever be given!
Thanks Olivier, I’m sending this video to clients as we speak!
Ann
Sweet! That’ll be $499.99. (Kidding.)
Spot on, Olivier. People are where they should be in social media adoption. There’s a lot being made of the social media adoption rates of U.S. businesses, but it’s really just a natural evolution. Social media usage is reaching a state of normality, in that now businesses think it’s ok to use it. The early adopters have tested the waters and they’re fine.
What that means is that you may get your wish, Olivier. Because social media usage is approaching normality, businesses will begin to shift their attention to more important things, such as brand management.
Can’t wait. Don’t get me wrong, I love this, but I miss working on bigger things.
I don’t really want my job to be that of an expert. In the long run, I would much rather work on really cool, complex, high stakes projects than education.
[...] The BrandBuilder Blog – Social Media adoption rates are what they are for a reason. [...]
[...] week I happened to fall upon a video by Olivier Blanchard aka the Brandbuilder, about the differences between the U.S. And France in their adoption and use of social media which hit home this week at the [...]