Several months ago I committed to taking my online presence to the next level. This was a deliberate decision and one that I didn’t take lightly. Investing in building a platform requires a commitment of personal capital and time. It also requires an emotional investment and a willingness to put yourself out there.
So why am I doing it? Because to be an effective leader in today’s business world, it’s required. Here are 6 reasons why I’m convinced developing a strong online presence is the right thing for my business – and I’ll bet most of them apply to you as well.
1. People follow people.
At 3Pillar we’re in growth mode and are investing in building our brand. The reality is that most people don’t follow companies, they follow other people. As CEO, it’s important that I raise my personal profile in order to bring attention to the great work our people do.
2. The sales cycle is shorter than ever.
Prospects no longer depend on you to sell them your product or service. Information abounds. Prospects in the digital economy are empowered buyers. If I’m not involved in the conversation, well, I’m not involved in the conversation.
3. People want to know you.
As a leader, people want to know who you are and what you stand for. In this information-rich world, transparency is important. A 2012 Brandfog survey found that people trust a company more if the CEO actively engages in Social Media. I want to be trusted.
4. You can’t lead if you’re absent.
How can I lead if I’m missing in action? Our world is becoming more and more virtual and it’s essential that leaders are where the people are. Employees want to hear from their leaders and the traditional all-hands meeting just doesn’t cut it anymore.
5. 3Pillar is a TechMedia company.
The media and technology industries no longer exist independently. They have collided and the TechMedia industry has replaced them both. Facebook and Google are obvious examples of tech companies that have embraced this reality, but look no further than Hubspot and 37Signals/Basecamp and you’ll see that market leadership in this space is unquestionably related to the media presence of their CEOs. At 3Pillar, we are not only preaching this to our clients, we are embracing this reality ourselves.
6. People want to learn from you.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from other leaders who took the time to share with me. I like to say I was able to learn from their scars so I didn’t have to endure my own. Unfortunately, I’ve also had to develop my own scars. Just as I’ve learned from others, I’m pleased to have the opportunity to share lessons learned from my scars with anyone who wants to listen.
Why do you blog? If you don’t blog, why not? Do you see blogging as a critical part of your leadership? Do you see it as strategic for your business?