Changing the Way we Communicate Safety – Note the Iranian Experience

Twitter, Facebook and other social network technologies changed the way news is gathered and communicated as evidenced by the Iranian experience.

I have listened to this video several times (Clay Shirky: How Twitter can make history | Video on TED.com http://ow.ly/ftRU ).   Corporations are still in the 20th century trying to send one unified message to many.  Yet, many younger employees and those entering the workplace have a different communication perspective (note Iranian use) as well as the savvy to use it.  Corporate IT limits use of sites like youtube, etc., but to expand on Shirky, they face the dilemma of reducing or shutting down creative communication.  New technologies make them do things similar to what China does (see video). Their use cannot be controlled per Shirky w/o serious downside effects.

How can we develop strategies that leverage the powerful capabilities of these new methods and technologies? Think of potential interactive communications of hazards, risk, training content.

Not only must we communicate differently.   We must find ways to make the message stick given the Tsunami of information that flows over us all.   The concepts from “Made to Stick” by Heath and Heath must be learned and applied.

What should we be doing? Seems we may already be way behind - are we?
Nathan Crutchfield

Crutchfield Consulting, LLC | Safety and Risk Control http://ow.ly/eWl5

www.twitter.com/encrutch