The Great Equalizer

Many admire majestic birds of prey, like the bald eagle.  Some are avid bird watchers of all varieties.  I'm just a simple guy who occasionally gets a chance to take a walk and catches a bird or two in flight on a random glance upward.  Have you ever noticed a large, less agile bird in flight being harassed by two or three tiny birds darting around the comparatively clumsy larger bird?

I made a similar observation last evening.  Indoors.  In a sophisticated multi-media conference room.  Those representing large corporations looked clumsy and awkward while  those from family owned small businesses appeared agile, nimble, quick and adaptable.  Gathered together were sponsors of a major event in Pittsburgh, discussing the use of social media to promote the event.  The conversation was led by a consultant who now specializes in the new media, and he did a fine job.  I was participating as my client's representative.

The books that I have read, the information that I have studied and the blogs that I have absorbed by the social media gurus are correct.  Those with a deep background in traditional media and a committed stake in corporate culture are genuinely struggling with the implications of social media.  They desperately want to control their message and their brand, and resist the transparency and candor of the new media.  They resist or even refuse to let go of ingrained habits in the face of a radically changing environment.  They reminded me of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak desperately attempting to stop the overwhelming change as the people in the streets tweet and blog about their hope for a new society. 

To me they looked like the clumsy larger bird trying to fly while the more nimble smaller business owners grasp the opportunity that social media invites them to accept.  "We can't do that.  It's all handled at corporate headquarters."  "There are policies in our business that deal with that."  "Someone else in our company is doing this kind of thing."

I am more convinced than ever that social media is a huge blessing for family owned small businesses!  It is The Great Equalizer:  social media gives family owned small business owners the advantage in our competitive business environment during challenging economic times.  Forgive me for being selfishly prideful, but the success my client has achieved in a few short months was truly encouraging and affirming. 

From one Old Dog to another, let me encourage you:  You can fly circles around your larger competitors.  Leave the safety of your nest of old habits......and get tweeting!

Thanks for sharing 130 seconds of your day,
Smitty