A World Gone Social

August 18, 2014
Social media has changed the way the world operates, and companies need to modify just about every aspect of how they do business to remain efficient and profitable. Coine and Babbitt, self-described "successful veterans of the social revolution," offer an insightful and thorough exploration of how to implement these systemic changes. They delve into the new company/customer power dynamic, where customers hold many of the cards, and show how, thanks to social media, employees are also emerging as a new power group. The authors go on to provide examples of companies that use social media to their advantage, such as Southwest and Verizon, and those which have learned the hard way, such as United Airlines and Bank of America. Coine and Babbitt also describe the disruptive changes social media has spurred in employment recruiting, and predict that social media will permanently change how legacy enterprises act, lead, and operate. Of particular interest to executives will be the book's consideration what it means to be a social leader and what to do if you're just not a good social representative. In-depth discussions of teams, customer experience, and social media marketing round out this comprehensive examination. Illuminating and insightful, this book is essential reading for all levels of the corporate ladder.

Starred review from October 15, 2014

Businesses have always had to adapt, and here Coine (cofounder of the blog Switch and Shift) and Babbitt (CEO and founder of social career site YouTern) offer their views on the social world of modern businesses. The entire environment from customers to employees and even how and where business is conducted has transformed. The authors point to examples of this shift by illustrating how social media can be used successfully. The book's first section discusses the changes companies are dealing with, including empowered customers and employees and the rise of the age of social media, while the remaining sections offer guidance on how to cope in this new world, from thinking small and focusing on collaboration to being more social and in a sense more human. VERDICT This practical and engaging book is a must-read for all business owners and entrepreneurs. It will also be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about how social media is driving change in the customer experience.--Elizabeth Nelson, McHenry Cty. Coll. Lib., Crystal Lake, IL

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