8 Reasons to become an Overcover Boss

Written by Kyle Braatz on Feb 10th, 2010

Most of us have heard of the show “Undercover Boss”. For those who haven’t, Undercover Boss is a new show that debuted after the Superbowl on CBS.

The show’s premise features a senior executive at a major corporation, who for one week works incognito in his/her own company as a newly-hired entry-level worker, to find out how the company really works (including the impact of “corporate policy”) and identify some of the unsung heroes among the workers.

Undercover Boss showed viewers the power and negative effect SR management can have on front line employees.  More empathy needs to be shown when implementing efficient or cost cutting measures.  Participation in this show will have short term results within the company, but how will they ensure communication channels stay open?

As a SR manager or company owner, what can you do?

You could go undercover… But most companies can’t afford to do that.

So go overcover, promote collaboration and use internal social media to relate and empathize with front line employees.  Implement an online, workplace, community experience for your employees.

Utilizing and promoting internal use of social media will benefit your employees, your company and your bottom line.  More than that, Companies need to consider the labour shortage expected for 2015 in Canada.  Here is what internal social media can do for your company:

  1. Show that you care about employees and their opinions
  2. Provide job satisfaction.  Employees are empowered and feel they are contributing to the success of the organization
  3. Eliminate the barrier to communication and collaboration across company lines and hierarchy
  4. Communicate timeless and key messages in new ways to engage a younger and more diverse workforce
  5. Find diamonds in the rough.  With social media you give special attention to those who care. It allows front line employees, who have potential, to stand out, offer value and become true brand evangelists
  6. Stemming from the last point; here from people who have good ideas, who you wouldn’t have heard from before.
  7. Social media will support growth by learning and collaborating with ALL employees
  8. Recruit and retain the best and brightest

So What’s Next?

In today’s world, companies must focus less on hierarchy and more on collaboration. 

SO I ask: 

Will you go undercover and fix things once (short-term)? 

or

Will you go overcover and implement internal social media (Long-Term)? 

- Braatzy
twitter.com/braatzy | facebook.com/braatzy

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