Reviewing my last post, I realized a couple of things.
Firstly, I’m too grumpy and secondly, I’ve been writing about these issues for too long and so sometimes I assume that you, my most gentle of readers, have been with me every step of the way.
Untrue.
So let me add some additional context.
While reading the post, you may, if you didn’t know me better, assume that I am something of a King Canute character, slowly getting wetter as the waves of the “InterWeb Revolution” wash away my analogue existence.
That would be incorrect.
I believe that the new generation of online services, which have been building momentum since the dot com bubble burst, are having and will have a major impact on how we live, work and communicate – that’s everyone, not just the PRs.
However, I am also pragmatic. I question this move to an idealistic world where everything will be online and where we should listen attentively and heed the views of the visionaries that have been appointed by the digerati.
I question those who believe that all corporations are evil and PR people live to confuse and misinform.
I question those who lecture us without the wit to realize they’re talking about things they know nothing about – but by dropping the words “social media” they are suddenly world experts.
All of a sudden the term “audience” is to be banned. Instead everyone is an induhvidual.
All I ask is that we question the vision of the unproven visionaries.
Change is inevitable for every living organism from an ant to a corporate PR professional. Long-term success, whether we’re talking about simple survival or a successful career, requires us to adapt to changing conditions.
Yes, we will use the online media more – whether we actually know we’re doing it or not – yes, it will have a major impact, and yes, this means the practice of Public Relations will require review and refinement.
But no one has all the answers, and more importantly no one has opinions more valid or more valuable than yours, particularly when they are talking about your profession, which they clearly know nothing about – well beyond the usual sterotypes.
Murphy's Law 