Comments on: Engineers are cautious about Twitter

By: Aaron Spencer

Aaron Spencer — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:16:40 +0000

@Tony, I think caution is not a trait specific to engineering. But other panels on social media I've attended focused more on the possibilities of social media and less on the threats. Maybe engineers are more cautious than others. If so, I'd like to convince them they should be a little less cautious when it comes to social media. I tried to address that in this post. In the future, I can write about ways engineers can use social media to help them. In the meantime, lots of smart people have written about that. Here is a great one: http://mashable.com/2009/02/27/social-media-for-business-2/

By: Tony Roos, PE

Tony Roos, PE — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:08:12 +0000

If an attendee of the event only listened to the first half of the event, your conclusion would be accurate. As an engineer, it is our professional responsibility to be cautious in tasks we undertake. To help the Engineers complete their analysis, the panel had to address the risks in order to prove the positive benefit of the rewards. It is natural that a non-engineer would perceive our calculating, pro’s vs. cons approach, as fear.

One of the big fears that the old guard of our industry has is the inability to control the message, which you’ve just proven. The next generation of Engineers is working with our leaders to help them realize that Social Media is another tool at our disposal for marketing, recruiting, branding, etc; and we can successfully utilize these tools, despite not being able to control what others are saying. Your post did very little to assist us in helping promote this cause, which was the intent of the event.

If the fears presented in the event were the only story that is published, the event will have been a colossal failure. Showcasing the rewards, proving their value against the risks, is the necessary step for our profession to accept Social Media. I would hope that a publication such as the 91��Ƶ, after listening to the ENTIRE presentation, would see the challenge facing the next generation of Engineers and A/E Marketing professionals, and help us change the perception of the “Curmudgeons”.

I know that I am excited to continue this conversation and continue to build a strategy to successfully integrate social media in our profession. I value the input of social media experts, and look forward to continuing this discussion.

By: Aaron Spencer

Aaron Spencer — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:32:22 +0000

Good grief, Craig. It’s a “tweet.” I am a twit.

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:18:27 +0000

Good answer. Maybe that is what you should of blogged in the first place. Be patient it take time for many to come to terms with new opportunities.

PS. thanks for the twit on the pedestrian who walked into the MAX. That should help me with the project estimate I’m working on 😉

By: Aaron Spencer

Aaron Spencer — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:24:45 +0000

@Craig, I don’t know how you use Twitter, but I don’t follow anyone I consider white noise. Maybe you’d like some tips on how to use social media effectively?

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:00:05 +0000

Generational gap issues. For many the idea of announcing their latest business thoughts disturbing, while others weaned on twitter wouldn’t think twice about update on their latest genital warts outbreak. The thing to remember is that there is so much updating static that social media really is becoming nothing but white noise for many. Yes a few bored friends will recommended some creams, but the majority won’t notice or care. So twit away and enjoy the Condylox ads.

By: Peta-de-Aztlan

Peta-de-Aztlan — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:36:14 +0000

Good article. Short brief and to the point. Many fear social media because of their need to feel that they are always in control, which virtually impossible on the Internet.

By: sharon

sharon — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:23:39 +0000

Now isn’t that going a little too far? Fear sets in!

Have a great day!