David Kirkpatrick on the Inevitable Corporate Revolution

The following article, from Forbes Magazine, came out around the same Nannette was traveling to Pittsburgh to give a talk about the power of social media last week. David Kirkpatrick has impeccable timing, and this piece is a powerful reminder that social media is changing not only the face of marketing, but also influencing our interactions and relationships around the world. Check out the excerpt below, then read the full article on Forbes.com here.

Focus

Social Power and the Coming Corporate Revolution

David Kirkpatrick, 09.07.11, 06:00 PM EDT
Forbes Magazine dated September 26, 2011

Why Employees and Customers Will Be Calling the Shots

Civilizations have clashed in an unexpected way this year, as ordinary people using Facebook and Twitter knocked down dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya—and are threatening absolute rule in Syria. A so-called Arab spring brought waves of liberation to a long-oppressed region. Something similar is happening in more democratic countries. In Spain throngs of young people, known as “the indignant ones,” occupied public plazas nationwide, protesting unemployment and exclusionary politics. In Israel ordinary citizens from both right and left united in massive demonstrations against high housing prices. And in India one man’s campaign against corruption went viral, bringing thousands to the streets in support.

This social might is now moving toward your company. We have entered the age of empowered individuals, who use potent new technologies and harness social media to organize themselves. A few have joined cause with WikiLeaks and its terrifying stepchildren, upending the once secure corridors of the U.S. State Department and Pentagon. But most are ordinary people with new tools to force you to listen to what they care about and to demand respect. Both your customers and your employees have started marching in this burgeoning social media multitude, and you’d better get out of their way–or learn to embrace them. Read more.