“Our first year, we were learning to crawl, figuring out how it all worked, and finding our voice. Our second year, we found our stride, we discovered our rhythm, and we gained some confidence. By year three, we were fearless, we took risks, and pushed the envelope. And, now, as we enter our fourth year in the blogosphere, we’ve matured a bit, we know who we are and what we need to do. Today, we’re focused on doing it all better.”
— This quote adapted from a speech by Paula Berg, Manager of Emerging Media for Southwest Airlines, shows that some companies get it, although its clear that some don’t. I recently drafted an E-Alert to clients highlighting the importance of protecting their trademarks online, especially on twitter. Some older, more traditional companies are having a hard time getting social media, but as Ms. Berg points out it often doesn’t come in the form of a flash of genius, but rather it takes time and practice like anything else. Southwest, and other companies that get it will reap rewards from connecting with their stakeholders at a personal level. Remember, for all intents and purposes corporations are persons (and apparently, some are cats).
