Hiding Behind the Veil

There's a growing trend in business to align yourself with a group.  When this group has been granted power it often speaks as "one voice".  "The 'Party Committee' has decided there will be one birthday celebration per month honoring all those born in that month".  "The 'Leadership Team' has concluded that your project does not warrant funding".
However, communication is a two-way street and I wonder if anyone considered how these messages are being received.  "Who's really responsible for this decision?"  "Who do I talk to about this?"  "Why does it feel as if someone's hiding?"  "If this succeeds we all know who will take the credit but if it fails who takes the blame?"
Group speak can get ugly and messy.  When used properly it can convey buy-in while still communicating accountability.  When used poorly, the rest of us have to pull the bodies out from under the bus.

The Right Tool for the Job

These days everyone wants you to follow them on twitter.  Just this week, my laundry soap, the guy who fixed my garage door and the produce stand where I bought some veggies all invited me to "follow" them on twitter.  Really?  Why would I want to do that??

Outside of the simple transaction I made with these entities why would I want to have a relationship with them?  I get it, everyone's on twitter so you feel you have to be too.  But, do you really understand how to use it and why people are on it?

Twitter is best used by celebrities and the semi-famous.  The rest of us are curious and want to know what's going on in their lives.  We think their lives are interesting.  Ask this same question of your business; is my produce stand interesting?  Does anyone care what we're thinking right now?

The answer becomes pretty obvious.  Don't use a hammer to drill a hole.