Turning it up to ‘11

“I talk a good game, but we need to do better”

*laughter*

A moment during a round-table event back in November. I’d been asked what measurable benefits my employers had seen from our use of social media, or something like that. The question isn’t so important but my glib answer is.

I’ve just read Beth Kanter and Allison Fine’s excellent book, The Networked Nonprofit. It discusses where charities sit in the socially-connected world, and where their old model of high-walled fortress fails in a society where the Millennial generation expect individual interactions, transparency of dealings and a finer-grained level of control over their investments (time, money, data…). 

The book offers advice on becoming a social organisation, rather than the usual array of Twitter and Facebook tips we’ve all become sick of, and isn’t afraid to talk to the top of organisations. I bought this book after seeing Beth talk at a Guardian Voluntary Sector event, and I bought it purely with the intention of pressing it into my Chief Executive’s hand.

Leafing through the first few chapters in the bath, I remembered how I breezily dismissed our lack of progress. The words “…talk a good game…” echoed between my ears until Will McInnes’ urging of “Let’s turn it up to eleven!” came to join them.

So, new year, fresh start and all that…

1. I’m going to roll up my sleeves, do more, talk less and lead by example.
2. I’m restarting my work twitter account - @ade_WWF (used to be @wwf_uk_web) to reveal what goes on behind the scenes, you know, like I keep telling other people they should.
3. I’m going to give away some of the lessons I learn doing my day job, and share the interesting stuff I come across in case anyone finds it interesting. Tell me if it’s not though, ok?
4. I’m going to reach out to the people that already love us, that we aren’t noticing or recognising. I’m going to ask for their help.
5. I’m going to push that rock up that hill every. fucking. day.

Who’s in?