by 
Who knew distribution could be funny?
If you haven’t already seen the first three installments of TTI Inc.’s “The Big Job,” take a few minutes to do so. Aside from being a hoot, the entire concept is a great example of how social networking can be used in a business.
I’ll admit I’ve been skeptical about how Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube can be used as legitimate business tools. For the most part, I check out YouTube viral videos to stay up to speed on pop culture, scour Facebook to keep tabs on my child, and completely ignore Twitter. (In the interest of full disclosure, I do realize I’m working for an online publication.) I’m still not sure how social networking fits into the business picture.
But I do know that viewers come away from “The Big Job” knowing something about TTI. It’s clear the company is involved in the distribution of IP&E components. It’s got a top-notch warehousing and logistics operation. It’s concerned about the quality of its products, operations, and people. And it has a sense of humor. Even if I knew nothing else about the company, I’d be tempted to check out TTI’s Website or call a sales office just to see if these people are for real. I’ve already forwarded the videos to people inside and outside the distribution industry. If “The Big Job” is all about generating buzz, fait accompli .
I’d be interested to hear what you think, and if you have a similar site, link, or video, please send it along. We all work too hard not to laugh once in awhile.
this blog struck a chord with me. It's very unsual to find a tech company with a marketing vp with the …er… courage to incorporate humor in its branding – and yet more unusual to find a way to do it using social media! I wish more companies would follow their lead! thanks for the link, too
can anyone think of any other examples of humor in the industry? (preferably intentional humor as opposed to us just laughing at someone for being stupid!)
I saw the video. For a moment I was thinking what kind of website I am in.Then at the bottom left corner I could go to TTI. Its really funny. But i guess they must have been bored of regular stuff so may be to add a little joke. On the other hand social networking sites are really doing great to reach to many people. How electronics makes use of this is up to them. But surely there is a business perspective there.
I'll admit I've been skeptical about the whole social networking thing as it pertains to business. This was really eye-opening and I'm happy to admit I can be persuaded otherwise. Business is a serious…well, business. If we can find a better balance of levity while getting a message through then I say go for it!
yes, and at the end of the day customer engagement of any kind is what companies are looking for most these days
Barbara, Even people who deal with back-end items related to supply chain, demand and supply, forecasting, procurement, production and other boring stuff end customers don't care about as long as they get their products on schedule and at the right price know they can't take life too seriously. You can use social media to educate, entertain and inform your customers and suppliers. Kinaxis has been doing this with its series of video clips on the supply chain. Here are a couple of clips I dug up for EBN readers. enjoy it.
Kinaxis Supply Chain Comedy: Married to the Job-Part III
Moving up the Supply Chain
Barbara, Anna,
Thanks for the links. Funny stuff.
I'll throw this in the mix. I first saw it linked on a blog post by Sherry Gordon at Value Chain Group, who got it from someone at Silicon Laboratories (In Twitter speak, it would go something like this: RT @SherryGordon RT @guyfromsiliconlaboraties funny supply chain video).
Where Are My Widgets
Jenn
its no news as to how much people connect on these social networking sites. What is marketting all about if not getting your goods to your customers and what better market than where millions from around the world meet every day.
Social networking sites are a must for businesses who want to get to their customers “at home”
But then there is another angle to social networking sites also. One has to be careful because what ever is said there is in light sense. Imagine people doing lawsuits for something said or done there. I guess when companies wants to get into this seriously they may want to increase filters and add up securities.
Barbara,
I think social networking can be used productively. As long as you can catch the eyes and ears of your target market, it is no different than a print or radio advertisement. It is just a more direct and simpler medium to disseminate your business value propositions. If done right, you can keep good customers and bring new ones on-board.
Hi Pocharle,
Thanks for your feedback. I've always been of two minds on the adage that “there's no such thing as bad publicity.” We've all seen the wrong thing go viral, but that's a function of what you as a person or a company posts online. If you can get your name out there in a responsible manner, it might influence a potential customer next time they have to choose among brands.
I finally got to watch this and I loved the acronym-speak. It's well done and thanks for passing it along!
Hi Anna–I really liked these. They get to the heart of the matter when they introduce the cast as “Supplier” and “Brian” (I think that was his name…) Classic situation in any supply chain
These were pretty funny! Reminded me of Americas Got Talent, right down to the voting.
Social Networking is the future of marketing. But theres are a lot of social networking to choose. You better be careful in choosing you might end up just like this guy in the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYoAwfh4QOU&feature=fvw
Hey the “Big Job” is really hilarious. I hope we can have this hiring strategy in my company. I already cast. I already cast my vote for Robotti – the most efficient among the three candidates 🙂
I'm partial to the Specialist myself. Robotti strikes me as kind of a know it all, being made of electronics part and all that..
I cant wait for the final announcement…Im rooting for Roboti! 🙂
The comments here remind me of this. http://www.dilbert.com/strips/comic/2009-10-04/
And a tool to gauge the reach of social networks. Well almost.
http://xkcd.com/802/