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We’ve been talking about how the use of social networking is on the rise—be it with networking sites like Facebook getting more popular, or Twitter, who is now legal even in a criminal courtroom.  However, be careful what you say on these sites.  Do the words “social networking” not make people realize it’s out there in the big old blog-o-sphere for other people to see?  Apparently not everyone does.

Cisco fiasco

Thoughtless comments have caused at least two people to have a major impact with their work.  In the most recent incident, a job applicant went and excitedly tweeted “Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.”  Now, unfortunately for this job applicant, that tweet was seen by Tim Levad, who is a channel partner advocate for Cisco.  Uh-oh.

Levad added his own tweet in response.  “Who is the hiring manager. I’m sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the web.”  Dang.  Busted. Even though the original tweet was quickly hidden after this by the account going private (shoulda thought of that before), it didn’t help much since Twitter saves the record in searches.

Memphis

Another such incident occurred back in January when an agency person from the NY office for Ketchum made some rather less than flattering remarks about Memphis when he was there to present on digital media to the big-wigs, the worldwide communications group at FedEx.  There were over 150 people there to see him.  Now, they hold their city in high regard and were not happy to hear what he had to say about it.  Here’s his tweet.

True confession but I’m in one of those towns where I scratch my head and say “I would die if I had to live here!

So, the person that found it didn’t fume in quiet.  The tweet was forwarded to the FedEx Corporate VP, Directors, and every manager of the communication department as well as the chain of command at Ketchum.  MAJOR busted. 

He got his response back.

Mr. Andrews,

If I interpret your post correctly, these are your comments about Memphis a few hours after arriving in the global headquarters city of one of your key and lucrative clients, and the home of arguably one of the most important entrepreneurs in the history of business, FedEx founder Fred Smith.

Many of my peers and I feel this is inappropriate. We do not know the total millions of dollars FedEx Corporation pays Ketchum annually for the valuable and important work your company does for us around the globe. We are confident however, it is enough to expect a greater level of respect and awareness from someone in your position as a vice president at a major global player in your industry. A hazard of social networking is people will read what you write.

Not knowing exactly what prompted your comments, I will admit the area around our airport is a bit of an eyesore, not without crime, prostitution, commercial decay, and a few potholes. But there is a major political, community, religious, and business effort underway, that includes FedEx, to transform that area. We’re hopeful that over time, our city will have a better “face” to present to visitors.

James, everyone participating in today’s event, including those in the auditorium with you this morning, just received their first paycheck of 2009 containing a 5% pay cut… which we wholeheartedly support because it continued the tradition established by Mr. Smith of doing whatever it takes to protect jobs.

Considering that we just entered the second year of a U.S. recession, and we are experiencing significant business loss due to the global economic downturn, many of my peers and I question the expense of paying Ketchum to produce the video open for today’s event; work that could have been achieved by internal, award-winning professionals with decades of experience in television production.

Additionally Mr. Andrews, with all due respect, to continue the context of your post; true confession: many of my peers and I don’t see much relevance between your presentation this morning and the work we do in Employee Communications.

Ouch!  But, it just goes to show you…watch what you say.  And more so, don’t say anything you wouldn’t say in person or is unprofessional in the first place.  Big brother is all over the place and you never know if you are going to need him to hire you.

via: bhc3 and shankman