The Few. The Proud. The Isolated.
Yesterday, CNN.com reported that The Marines have banned Facebook, Twitter, and several other social networking sites. The justification is that the networks are a “proven haven for malicious actors”, and that the possibility of passing along “unnecessary information to adversaries” is too great.
Sabotage and Exposure.
Coincidentally, sabotage and exposure are also the two greatest social networking fears for senior executives in Corporate America. Many corner office Boomers, reluctant to engage in social networking at home, don’t want to risk losing company secrets or employee productivity to Twitter and “The Facebook”.
I am not a military expert. If the Marines think that social networking is a liability, I’m not about to argue. I assume they are acting prudently. On the other hand, when senior execs claim that social networks do more harm than good to their organizations, I assume they are acting like prudes.
Step away from the military metaphors and stay connected, people. I know it’s not easy because Corporate America LOVES military metaphors. But, you shouldn’t act on a potential liability until you also understand the potential opportunity. Or, to put it another way, scared money don’t make money.
Organizations that adopt defensive “wait until this stuff is mission-critical” attitudes are going to be left in the dust. If businesses don’t take the time to understand and explore Web 2.0, what’s going to happen when the world moves to 3.0? 4.0?
Put down your guns and go make some friends.
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