Caution: Topic May Be Controversial...
Would it be reasonable to highly encourage or even require your C-Suite to Unify branding across ???????????????? ????????????????? Thoughts?
Did you know that your c-suite is commonly being researched prior to the buying decision?
They have to wear your shirts, use your pens and recite your company moto. (Or at least are encouraged to do so.)
I would argue that the more unification of a brand the better the conversion rates typically are.
As they say TEAM -Together Everyone Achieves More
At the same time, in my opinion, the individual owns the account and therefore should be the one that makes the final decision.
So how does a company balance image, professionalism and employee ownership of Social Media accounts in a way that is fair and ethical?
Should this even be a discussion? Perhaps, companies should shut up and color about the perception drawn by customers looking at their C-Suite and Employee profiles.
In my opinion, it should be a balance. I think a unified brand should be encouraged, especially on LinkedIn, but not forced. Give executives options they can choose from, and even have them work with a graphic designer and LinkedIn strategist to draw out the person's individuality while giving the desired professional look and feel that the company is looking to achieve.
It does have to be optional in my opinion. Likely, forcing something like this would raise major legal and privacy concerns. Obviously, I am not a legal professional, just some guy with an opinion on the topic.
Many inventions are made by the scientist but the company owns it, could that thought process be a valid argument for a company to get involved in control over an employee's social media?
So not solving any world problems here, but I believe that a unified look and feel to match a brand's image should be encouraged and resources allotted to aid employees who made the decision to use their resources for the company's branding. At the same time, it should in my opinion never be forced, nor monitored but incentivized.
Jess Tiffany
(612) 440-8286
LinkedIn Marketing Cheat Sheet https://mnudigital.com/linkedin-marketing-cheat-sheet/