Valerie Simon of the Public Relations Examiner chose to interview rbb CEO Christine Barney for the second of her "CEO Twitterview" series on the use of Social Media in PR. The "Twitterview" took place on June 26, 2009. To see the original article, click here.
Twitterviews from the top: Christine M. Barney, APR, CEO & Managing Partner rbb Public Relations
Christine M. Barney, APR CEO & Managing Partner at rbb Public relations http://www.rbbpr.com shares her insights in this weeks ‘Twitterviews from the top"
ValerieSimon: Wecome to the Public Relations Examiner Twitterview w/ @cmbarney, APR CEO & Managing Partner at rbb Public relations
ValerieSimon: We'll be discussing #CEO use of #socialmedia , creating a "winning workplace" & #PR accreditation.
ValerieSimon: Let's begin w/ some questions regarding your presentation "CEO Tweetup: how & why real CEOs use social media"
ValerieSimon: How do you describe social media use among CEO's?
cmbarney: Still small but growing; Many CEO's live on what I call, CEO island, distanced from stakeholders
cmbarney: The four stages of CEO involvement...
cmbarney: 1) Out to lunch: Let staff do it ; 2) voyeur: watch and listen 3) cheerlead and 4) dive in;
ValerieSimon: Can you provide some examples of exemplary use of social media by CEO?s?
cmbarney: Out to lunch - was Domino's example http://tr.im/pRFl ; CEO came in late to play...
cmbarney: Voyeur to Cheerleader - Ford CEO Tom Mulally did impromtu twitter chat and is now a youtube star http://tr.im/pRGg
cmbarney: My favorite is famous Tom Dickson of Blendtec - great integration of social media platforms http://tr.im/pREa.
ValerieSimon: From @KeithTrivitt What are some successful strategies you have used to get CEOs & C-level execs on board with social media?
cmbarney: Bring them to the table one-on-one. rbb 2.0 division does personal primers on how it works/why its important; who is doing it
ValerieSimon: During last weeks twitterview @5WPR CEO @RTorossian5wpr noted his surprise that more owners of PR agencies don?t blog regularly?
ValerieSimon: Can you explain your policy/ beliefs on PR Agency blogs?
cmbarney: Asl tell CEOs, company blogs should reflect the company - Not every CEO has to be the face http://tr.im/oFy1 ...
cmbarney: Match to your brand personality - rbb brand is employee driven workplace so internal blogs are written by employees
ValerieSimon: As CEO of http://www.rbbpr.com, you have created an environment recognized by the WSJ as a winning workplace...
ValerieSimon: Can you explain the key components of the rbb Total Rewards Program?
cmbarney: Based on Employee Driven Workplace (EDW) = treat people like adults; trust them to be architects of culture and workplace...
cmbarney: rbb Total Rewards has 4 areas: pay/benefits, work environment, recognition and learning/ development. http://tr.im/pRqE
ValerieSimon: In this economy, many employers have limited benefits, recognition programs, prof development opportunities?
ValerieSimon: Why do you continue to emphasize an employee driven workplace?
cmbarney: Give people the freedom to create their own work environments &clients will stay, more clients will come & everyone makes money.
ValerieSimon: A Quest from @Spiewak What is the biggest misconception about PR from ppl w/in the industry and also ppl outside looking in?
cmbarney: @Spiewak PR people have an inferiority complex, don't think we r worth the $ & deserve a seat at table; outsiders take advantage
ValerieSimon: I also received several questions for you regarding #PR #accreditation...
ValerieSimon: As an accredited PR prof and past pres.of the Miami #PRSA Chapt, u held the position of Ethics office from 2003-2007...
ValerieSimon: Per @krisTK What?s the best way for APR candidates to study for ethical questions on the test?
cmbarney: @krisTK at rbb pr @smfgators practiced with me and other mentors b4 taking and passing (yeah sandra) the test.
ValerieSimon: From @JBwrites: Is there any business value in earning an APR? Other than other PR professionals, does anyone recognize it?
cmbarney: @JBwrites do it for yourself 1st; do it for biz 2nd. learn biz + by reading here http://tr.im/pS8K
ValerieSimon: A few other folks were wondering if you have any other advice for studying/ taking the APR exam
cmbarney: Take advantage of local @prsamiami courses and talk to those who already did it. Can i make one more pt about workplace?
ValerieSimon: Of course!
cmbarney: Practice what we preach to clients - Don't talk @ employees talk WITH them. great benefits not enough http://tr.im/pRXW....
cmbarney: rbb has fab benefits 100% HC, free phones, laptops, etc; but people stay (8yrs +) because of respect & flexibility
cmbarney: I was told to retweet the trim for employee driven workplace article http://tr.im/oXvK
ValerieSimon: Be careful... you are going to get a lot of resumes ;)
ValerieSimon: Seriously though, I have been asked-- are you #hiring?
cmbarney: Follow us @rbbpr or FB http://tr.im/pS6R, always open to good folks, contact hiring partner on careers page @ www.rbbpr.com
ValerieSimon: Excellent! I know time is coming to a close, but do you have any final thoughts or #pradvice for those following?
cmbarney: and go for awards/peer recognition like Agency of Year, http://tr.im/pLvX, SABRES, Anvils...
cmbarney: Real benefit from best practices approach comes from attracting, keeping great clients and staff. True PR pros r always learning
ValerieSimon: Well I learned a lot from you today! Thanks for sharing your insights on the public relations industry with us!
ValerieSimon: And thank you to everyone who participated and followed along the Twitterview! A full transcript wil be avail on examiner.com
cmbarney: Thanks, I really enjoyed it! Look forward to your guest next week!
ValerieSimon: @cmbarney I'll be taking off for the 4th of July holiday, but will be back the following Friday! Will announce that CEO next wk #prexaminer
ValerieSimon: Hint: The next Public Relations Agency CEO will be tweeting live from his headquarters in Washington, DC...
Be sure to check out the Twitpic of the @rbbpr team w/ Christine taken and sent during the Twitterview http://twitpic.com/8h0yz . For more pics http://tr.im/rbbflickr
