The Connected Accountant

"I believe firms should make every effort to influence social media"

Not me talking - Gary Boomer - In the November 2nd edition of Accounting Today.

Within IGAF Worldwide, we just completed our 2009 Marketing Directors Conference, and one whole day was given over to 'new media.'

A couple of things I thought of note there:

• Your website is a hub - everything else, including social media hangs off of the hub
• Control is, at best, fleeting and illusory - A great example of this is how long it took USAir to get a Twitter account up after the Hudson River incident compared to how quickly 'the world' was sharing details - Southwest Airlines even beat USAir in commenting on it! Also, Gary Boomer goes onto say, "forget about trying to control how employees use (social media)"
• New media is not really a replacement - it is an enhancement to your marcom efforts
• The goalposts are moving - Friendster was meant to own this space, and now......
• Closing down desktop access means employees will use smartphones to access social media

The good news is that Marketing Directors (and some others) were totally enthused about the opportunities that these new avenues created.  The analytics and measures are improving exponentially, and (unlike print or radio) you can truly engage with the public.

Are You Connected?

Jimi Hendrix asked, 'are you experienced?'  I ask, 'are you connected?'

The goal of this new blog is to explore ways in which accountants 'connect' with their peers around the corner and around the World.  Revealing my bias, associations are a huge way in which you can do that, but there are many other methodologies and opportunities too.

As an example of how accountants are connecting using what is commonly called 'Web 2.0' take a look at what the Maryland Society of CPAs has done in Second Life.  Tom Hood, their CEO is quoted as saying 'It's all about social networking - which is what associations are about.'

I know that those of you that have heard of Second Life are probably worried.  You think you will loose control, that communication will happen without running through a centralized 'system' and that your employees will use it in work hours.  All of your fears are not only justified, but possibly correct!  However, being a facilitator (or better yet, a champion) of this type of interaction within and across firms means that professionals in the firm and those looking at an accounting career will set you and your firm apart from many others.

So, are you connected?  Let us know how.