Transparency is not the Exception, it’s the Rule
Transparency is a current hot topic and buzzword that you hear thrown around in every boardroom, office and even inside the classroom. It is not a new concept, but as new technologies and forms of communication become available, the principle of transparency becomes inherently more important for businesses and working professionals.
Wailin Wong, a technology reporter at The Chicago Tribune explains: “The concept of social media is not new. By nature, we are social in the way we interact in our daily relationships with our friends, colleagues and loved ones. Generally, in those relationships we do not lie or deceive because nine times out of 10, people get caught. This valuable life lesson should also be practiced in social media.”
Transparency tends to scare companies into thinking they’re required to share every little detail in order to use social media — not true. To be transparent you don’t have to bare all; just be honest with people about what you are doing and how it’s being done. For example, if you ask a blogger to review your product, both the company and the blogger need to be upfront about the relationship. An interesting case study on Wal-Mart demonstrates what not to do when it comes to social media transparency.
Rose Lincoln Hamilton, president and CEO of The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, says, “I can’t emphasize enough the need to not only be transparent with the bad as well as the good, but to also be proactive: don’t wait until someone asks.” People are connecting with businesses that aren’t afraid to fess up when they don’t have the answer. Also, people like to talk to a person, so businesses that encourage employees to relate on a more personal level with consumers through social media are having great responses without jeopardizing confidential information
(i.e. Comcast, Zappos and Dell)
Companies now have an opportunity to show their human side, release the realness within the company to build relationships and connect with their customers.
“ Transparency often leads you to the right path. What is the worst-case scenario with transparency? You’re being honest and saying things that are real — the right outcome is eventually going to come out of that.”
Mariah Herman, Account Executive
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