Leadership and Twitter....

Tonight's blog is a bit off of the Homeland Security topic. I want to talk about the recent Twitter disaster and Dr. Oz. Now, I know what you're thinking -"Twyla, have you lost it?" No, I haven't. We all stand to learn something from Dr. Oz's Twitter disaster, which is knowing how to time your message. In fact, knowing how to time your message is everything when it comes to issues of Homeland Security and public affairs.

First, so you know, Dr. Oz opened up his Twitter account and encouraged people to use the public hashtag #DrOzsInbox. Yes, so everyone could see the questions being submitted to the doctor. Here's what happened;

As I said, we all have something to learn from Dr. Oz. First, don't open yourself to answer questions you don't want to deal with during a scandal. Second, if you have something to communicate - make sure you know how to do it and why you are doing it. Third, a big brand doesn't mean its a flawless brand. Big empires fall hard.

To tie-in yesterday's blog, the big retailers need to take a lesson from Dr. Oz's Twitter account as we head into the holiday shopping season. Security plans should be enforced and a crisis communication for ill-prepared and/or accident incidents at stores also needs to be planned and in place, otherwise- your store may be the next Dr. Oz on Twitter.

Until Monday,

Twyla N. Garrett