TO DIE OR TO LIVE–THAT IS THE QUESTION!

I finished reading the 1st chapter of Cluetrain Manifesto—Internet Apocalypso—last Friday. I admit I was anxious to read it because it’s a loooooong read. However, I must say that I enjoyed reading it, which was surprising, for some reason

With the growing popularity of Internet among the people, organizations are left with only two choices:

#1–IGNORE IT.  Continue with the business-as-usual; and

#2–JOIN THE CLUB. Be a part of it and discover ways on how you can use it to your advantage.

If your choice is #1, I admire your resistance BUT you should know, as early as now, that it’s a suicide attempt. Keep it up… and you’ll soon DIE. If your choice is #2, I admire your bravery for taking the risk. Keep it up.. .and you’ll definitely LIVE long.

Traditional organizations are those that are in denial of the greater opportunities that the Internet offers them. Why? Because they focus more on the THREATS. Sure enough, change is a big threat to culture and the command-and-control management that was in effect for years, centuries even. However, as the cliche goes, change is the only permanent thing in the world. Hence, it’s impossible to resist it. And unfortunately for these traditional organizations, the pace of change is not normal. The world is changing–and it’s FAST. Hello to the Internet generation!

LIVE-ing is the only feasible choice there is–if resisting should even be considered as a choice. This means that THIS is the time for organizations to engage in the Net era. Only by engagement shall they realize that Internet can be highly beneficial to both the organization, and the people, in general.

The Internet is an open market–a new landscape where both producers and consumers reside.  To what do Internet owe its large acceptance? The answer is VOICE. The Net has given the people—workers, consumers, and audience—back their voice. Today, no voice goes unheard. Just imagine how blogosphere was created and how it spread like a virus. In the past, there were only the passive viewers or receivers. Now, they are proactive and participative.

An Internet Apocalypso indeed! With the freedom to share  or air one’s views and insights, an explosion of brilliant ideas and new content occurred. There are wider range of choices, new options.

BUT OF COURSE, as another cliche goes, nothing in this world is free. At least not anymore. If you desire to have an access to all these new ideas, content, and options, it will cost you. Still, a few bucks isn’t a big deal at all for people who enjoy what the Net offers them. Small cost BUT large results.

Say for instance, a business organization would not need hire a group of people to conduct market research for them. Through the Net, it would be easier to learn about their target’s preferences and behaviors.

Now, let’s go back to the major reason why some organizations settle for option #1.

The Net is “inherently seditious.” It eliminates the concept of centralization. Since everyone has access to it, it cannot be manipulated by only one person or organization. It is not made up of supervisors and subordinates but unique individuals. And each of these individuals can both be a supervisor and subordinate or producer and consumer at the same time.

The idea that control is everything must be eliminated. The Net is open and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Control cannot, in any way, be exercised 24/7.

If an organization would like to remain ahead of their competition, constant involvement must be made with the audience. And what better way to achieve that than through the online community? The Net connects people together. No borders are existing. If an organization uses the Internet to cater to the people, they are able to establish their presence not only to their targeted audience, but also to the world.

Although there are still traditional organizations who haven’t answered yet the question—to die or to live?–it is good to know that gradually, many organizations are realizing the real deal with the Internet.

The options are as clear as black-and-white.

#1:  DIE? The end.

#2:  LIVE? Go beyond. Reach further. Rock n’ roll. And win BIG time!