The document discusses BISNW's initial experiences with social media like Twitter. It recommends listening to key people in their industry, communicating policies and good examples, and engaging by retweeting, responding to questions, and participating in debates. It reflects that social media reaches beyond usual audiences, information comes from many sources, and they can't control the message so they shouldn't try. They should be clear about what people can expect and put a human face to their logo. Finally, it suggests broadening Twitter use within their team and exploring discussions with business on other social media platforms.

1. First steps in social media
BISNW experience with
Tweets and Tweeple
David Higham

2. What have we done?
• Listened
• Communicated
• Engaged

3. Listen
• Identify key people to follow
• What are they talking about?

4. Communicate
• Promote/explain policies
• Give local/offbeat angle (Lock and Quay, Tony
Wilson, Dylan and Strictly at Blackpool)
• Promote good examples/practice
- Burnley
- Virtual Engineering Centre
- Apprenticeships

5. Engage
- Retweet/respond
- Address questions/misunderstandings (AA map
review)
- Encourage/Engage in debates
- Lessons from Detroit
- Textiles
- Image of manufacturing

6. Reflections 1
• Social media is about communicating with
people
• Reaches beyond the “usual suspects”
• Opens up whole world of information (blogs)
• Fantastic source of ideas

7. Reflections 2
• Can’t control so don’t try – you’ll fail
• 140 characters useful discipline but:
– Can be misinterpreted
– Not suitable for subtle debates/distinctions
• Be clear what people can expect
• Put “face” to “logo”

8. Reflections 3
• Read the guidance
• Exercise common sense
• IT system makes it hard
• Use Tim and his team

10. Bring me sunshine

11. Cities and culture

12. What’s wrong with manufacturing?

13. Tripe

14. 14
What next?
-Broaden use of Twitter within team
-Twitter discussion with business
-Explore other social media