Everyones an expert?

August 11, 2008 | 2 comments | Tweet This

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OK so i’m going to have a rant here, because it’s good to let it out every now and then.  Recently I have seen more and more examples of people/organisations taking a nugget of an idea and running with it, applying the same `tried and tested’ approach that has worked over the years without actually thinking of the long term goal and how our audience (who have the power to make or break our ideas), have changed.  A good example I have seen recently uses social networks as it’s main output, speaking to `innovators’.  Forgive me for being naive, but posting your drunken photo’s on Facebook every once in a while for all to see doesn’t make you an expert in the field does it? So why do you think you have the right to talk to me in this space if you can’t offer me anything?  What is becoming apparent, is that as more communication channels are becoming available, we have taken this tendency to think of ourselves as the expert because we “read something on Wikipedia about it once so I know exactly what do to”.  Has technology actually bitten itself on the arse by allowing information to become so readily available, that people are running ahead with what they believe to be the right answer without thinking it through?  I was asked recently to participate in a brainstorm focusing on 14 year olds.  Now, it’s been a long time since I was 14 and although I have read a lot about what spaces they are currently in, I am not as arrogant as to think that I have all the answers and will be able to formulate a plan without actually having to pull on the help of my audience and was met with genuine surprise after it was suggested.  I guess my point is it is easier now more than ever to collaborate on projects, and it is really disappointing when a idea hits the market if it is obvious that it could have been pushed that little bit further if both time and the right people had been factored in.  As the industry grows and new skills are required, we should not assume that our `tried and tested’ approach is good enough anymore.  Instead we should be pulling on additional resources as and when they are needed, leaving the ego at the door whilst you’re at it.

Posted by Jamie Coomber | Filed Under Blog, Marketing, Thought pieces  | 2 comments | Tweet This

Comments

2 Responses to “Everyones an expert?”

  1. Charles Frith on August 11th, 2008 15:38

    Funny this. I just spent half an hour with someone who I know has the perfect business for social media (great product, interesting personality, varied and wide audience from b2b and b2c) and listened to someone putting every reason why social media wouldn’t work because of x, y, z.

    As you say. You gotta do it and do it good before it’s worth talking about.

  2. ernesto alegre on August 18th, 2008 12:00

    I totally agree with you, Jamie.
    “Expert” is a fossil concept…
    Thank you for this post.

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