7 Business Benefits of Owners or CEOs Sharing via Social Media

7 Benefits of Being a Social Leader

Brandfog’s, “2012 Social Media CEO & Leadership Survey”  had thirteen insightful conclusions, I have summarized the seven which focused on the impact of the Social Leader.   In summary, Social Leaders’ engagement outcomes include more sales, more trust, effective crisis management, a competitive advantage, and a more desirable place to work.  NOT BAD!

1.       81% of respondents believe that CEOs who engage in social media are better equipped than their peers to lead companies in a web 2.0 world.
2.       78% cited Better Communication and 71% stated Improved Brand Image as the biggest positive benefits.
3.       82% of respondents were more likely or much more likely to trust a company whose CEO and leadership team engage with social media.
4.       77% of respondents were more likely or much more likely to buy from a company whose values and mission are defined through CEO and executive leadership participation on social media.
5.       93% of respondents believe that CEO engagement in social media helps communicate company values, shape a company’s reputation, and grow and evolve corporate leadership in times of crisis. 
6.       94% said that CEOs and an organization’s executive leadership team enhance the brand image by participating on social media.
7.       78% of respondents would prefer to work for a company whose leadership is active on social media.

“The survey results demonstrated that executive engagement in social media raises the brand profile and instills confidence in a company’s leadership team. It builds greater trust, brand loyalty and purchase intent. Respondents overwhelmingly confirmed their belief that C-Suite executives who engage in social media are better equipped to lead a company, communicate values and shape a company’s reputation in today’s changing world.  .. . 

The most effective leaders throughout history have been great communicators, yet the vast majority of modern day CEOs and C-Suite executives are conspicuously absent from social media channels.  As of January 2012, 61% of Fortune 500 brands were engaging with customers via Twitter, but less than 2.5% of Fortune 500 CEOs were actively participating on Twitter.” The BrandFog Survey 2012.
For the full survey results, see: http://www.brandfog.com/CEOSocialMediaSurvey/BRANDfog_2012_CEO_Survey.pdf

Brandfog’s concludes that the “next generation of business leaders will require new talents and a different set of skills to successfully grow their companies.  …in order to effectively lead a company, management competencies will have to be reinvented around a new set of Principles, including transparency, integrity, collaboration, and consistent communication with stakeholders about company vision, mission, and values through social media channels.”

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