Last January, Laura, Stephanie and Brew kicked off the 2013 Community Manager Appreciation Day by checking in on the state of community management around the world with:
- “ichi” – Hiroyasu Ichikawa (Japan) @socialcompany
- Ileana Rossello, HootSuite (Italy) @Lana_ES
- Jose Albis, (Colombia, Canada) @josealbis
- Nico Ibieta, PuntoCero (Chile) @nicoibieta
- Jean-Yves Lemesle, Doctissimo (France) @jyv
- Kimberly McCabe, Sitecore (England) @kimberlymccabe
- Fred Felton, FalconCove (South Africa) @fredfelton
There are definitely differences to be seen in how regions are using social channels and how they define community. From forums to LinkedIn to Twitter to Facebook, in 2012 we saw massive growth in the belief in how these channels can help the company. I find in England there’s a lot of spectators. I don’t see as much engagement here as I do in the US or Canada, but when I meet people face to face at events, they’re aware of everything that goes online.
—Kimberly McCabe, Sitecore (England) @kimberlymccabe
We don’t know the clear definition of community manager. Some people think it’s the person at the company who manages Facebook, Twitter and distributing content. Other people [who are organizing meetups for organizations] who really need to use Facebook Groups and mailing lists.
—“Ichi” – Hiroyasu Ichikawa (Japan) @socialcompany
Community Managers are developing around consumer practices so we have increased in the last 2 or 3 years but we’re still developing what “Community Manager” means. Today it’s only related to [the consumer industry]. Community Managers are starting to realize what their job must be in this community. We’re not in a developed state.
—Nico Ibieta, PuntoCero (Chile) @nicoibieta
We learned quite a bit about the differences in the community management industry from cultural variances and digital divides from lack of technology and new information being available in English first. As evidenced in aha moments from the guests this hour, there’s a need to bring more community managers together in a way we can learn from, grow with and support each other.
We’re a global community and we’re here to support each other. One of the main challenges is how do we show that community managers exist behind the good stories not just when there’s a crisis for a brand? These people are putting their heart out there to represent a brand and human beings in connecting and building empathy around the world.
—Jose Albis, (Colombia, Canada) @josealbis
Here’s a photo Ichi shared of the Community Management Appreciation Day meetup in Japan, they were able to assemble this great group in just two weeks:
(Photo Credit: SocialCompany.org)Sherrie Rohde
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