The role of the executive has changed drastically over the last decade. The social media platforms have produced a more transparent and interactive executive role. The influencers of social media, are many times the CEO’s and General Managers of large, growing companies, with tech orientated roots.
For many, who rise to the heights of influence over millions of followers, it is wise to remember that social media is a tool to influencers. A way to interact and spin a brand, product, or service, through immersion within a culture, built to spin, produce, and brand something of value.
General management in the 21st century is far different than the 1990’s when Bill Gates was coming into the heights of tech power, with Paul Allen. Gate’s style, which was very popular at the time, was a type of mix of results orientated demand and cutting edge employee comfort.
Microsoft was the leader in making sure employees were looked after, from healthcare, to childcare onsite, the campus at Microsoft was a marvel of modern design, function and efficiency. Catering to the needs of the worker really caught on, and many large companies offer such perks and necessities.
Apple created an environment where inventor met entrepreneur and the modern desktop computer GUI was born. The lifestyle at Apple has always been one of determined innovation, backed by relentless and overbearing management, which Steve Jobs developed and forced into an enormous juggernaut of technology.
The General Management of recent years must allow more for the employees ability to be productive through positive team building and management of successes, rather than management of shortcomings.
There are still some companies that rule with an iron hand, like Amazon, which has been using some questionable methods of layperson management, or its most basic staff members. Although not really ever spoken about, the Amazon distribution centers, have been parking ambulances outside the facilities, like at major sporting events, in the hopes of avoiding having to call emergency services several times a night to rescue injured or exhausted personnel.
Even though Apple and Amazon, and companies like them make a great deal of money annually, the role of such companies in culture, while overwhelmingly publicized is not as functional and resilient as one may think. That is because, unlike the smaller tech orientated companies which are partner based, the larger companies are extremely top heavy.
Business models today are filled with employee orientated management styles, these companies are seeing a great deal of growth, especially in the tech sector. Teams are used to brainstorm new ideas, and also to manage sensitive issues, that once were decided by general management.
General management has moved to social media, to speak to people with a desire to hear about their successes, follow their advice and join in a community. Of course the problem with this model is an ever growing need to be as successful as the general manager, a desire to be as popular as the influencer, and to hold the attention of vast numbers of people with every message. While this causes frustration, there is also the feeling of community and shared culture, that can develop. This brings General Management into a new light, where causes and movements are used to offer a product or service more credibility and desirability. Although pushing forward a good cause is noble, and should be encouraged, the business of being General Management must have boundaries