Strathclyde Business School UAE hosts forum on Social Media

SBS Social Media Forum

Strathclyde Business School UAE in partnership with its Dubai Alumni Chapter hosted a forum for professionals called ‘Branding Yourself in the Social Media Age’ on 28th October, 2013, at Crowne Plaza Hotel. Invited to help clarify attendees’ views on the theme were four expert speakers with diverse backgrounds and insights: Dr Ron Bradfield, Director of Strathclyde UAE and Associate Dean of the Business School; Hisham Wyne, Blogger, Columnist & MC; Marissa Woods, Founder of ImageFactorUAE; and Alexander McNabb, Novelist and Director of SpotOn PR.

Dr Ron Bradfield took to the stage first to share university news, including the new 2013 Financial Times (FT) ranking for Strathclyde Business School’s executive MBA which places it 58th in the world. Dr. Bradfield then framed the debate by questioning the universal and long-term importance of social media for the modern professional. His views were supported by his expertise in future scenario thinking and the legitimate question of whether the ‘social media age’ may be a passing or changing trend rather than a permanent reality.

Hisham Wyne countered with an entertaining and persuasive talk about the importance of individuals taking control of their digital life. “You will be Googled,” Hisham stated of meeting new people in social and professional contexts. According to Hisham, not turning up with professional results through search and not existing on platforms like LinkedIn can lead to serious questions as to your true identity and what you might be hiding. Furthermore, those who eschew social media still have a digital footprint which may be very hazy and confusing. Hisham advised professionals to own their name and URL and establish a presence on social media to own their digital presence.

The next presenter, Strathclyde graduate and executive stylist, coach, and branding specialist Marissa Woods agreed with many of these sentiments and delved further into the personal branding side of the theme. “In business, perception is reality,” Marissa said, and our personal brand is reflected online and in person via our behavior, appearance, values, technologies and more. As professionals, our personal brand is judged by others in a roughly 30-second first impression which, if negative, can take 21 subsequent positive interactions to change. With this in mind, Marissa advised attendees to think about what kinds of impressions they were making as professionals with their social media presence, and to ensure that the message reaching their professional networks is accurate, consistent and authentic.

Finally, Alexander McNabb presented a compelling perspective on personal branding, arguing that that social media is here to stay, but that the practice of branding, and personal branding in particular, is too often contrived and disingenuous as it is used to manipulate or falsely inflate public perception. He also stressed the presence of karma in the social media realm, and cited examples wherein those with specific expectations of a given platform may be let down yet those who use it to engage with and support others often have fulfilling experiences and gain unexpected opportunities. He advised attendees to use social media not greedily or boastfully but rather with respect, integrity, humility, trust, and bravery.

The range of perspectives helped those in attendance to clarify their own positions towards social media, and meaningfully consider whether their own social media presences were strong enough to convey their personal brands or professional selves positively, honestly and effectively in an ever-changing but increasingly online world. The event concluded with networking over a buffet dinner and a vote on the next theme which would be to create a Strathclyde Entrepreneurial Network in Dubai for SMEs and budding entrepreneurs.