You might think I’m just saying Chrome is faster when I mention speed. While that may be true, that’s not the kind of speed I mean. This is not about Chrome or Internet Explorer per se. It’s about Microsoft.

Microsoft is a great company. It’s full of genius people creating marvelous new technologies and products. But why is Internet Explorer losing market share? Why is Apple, a major competitor of Microsoft, growing so quickly? Why are people projecting that the Windows mobile operating system will be all but gone within the next 4 years? The main problem is Microsoft’s lack of company speed and disconnect from the consumer.

Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about: About nine years ago Microsoft started developing a revolutionary technology now known as Microsoft Surface. They were developing the first multi-touch multi-user computer! This was before cellphones where being used by the masses. At this point only cool people like Zack Morris and his Dad had them. This technology was unheard of, and is still really cool. Click here to check it out in this 2008 video demonstration.

That video is two years old! So what the heck happened? Why is Apple the golden child of phones, tablets, and MP3 players? Because Apple released their technology quickly and in a format where average customers could consume it. Microsoft had the technology, they had the money, they had plenty of smart people around, but they just didn’t have the foresight or the speed to be the first to come out with a product that could be used by the masses, a.k.a. the iPad.

This brings us to Internet Explorer and the recent reports of its continuing loss of market share. Internet Explorer has been around for a long time, and for a while was the only real browser you could realistically use, which resulted in a poor product. Now we have Firefox, Safari, and Chrome (my favorite) which have improved on an otherwise slow and annoying experience. Internet Explorer 9 may have improved its speed and a few other issues, but it’s too late. The brand is broken. People who have abandoned Internet Explorer, like myself, have left IE forever and will convince as many people as they can to get away from it. Why? Because Internet Explorer only improved when it had to, not because they cared about developing a quality product. If they were connected with the consumer they would have improved their product long before other browsers corrected the problems.

The point of this post isn’t to rail on Microsoft. The point is to drive home the importance of understanding the consumer and getting your products or services out as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. If you don’t provide what people can use when they need it, then you will lose sales to your competitors. It’s simple economics.

Here are a few statements that can lead to being captured by the conventional thinking trap:

• “I’ve been doing this for years and it works just fine.”
• “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
• “But that’s not how other companies do it.”
• “That potential employee is innovative and intelligent, but they just don’t have the experience/résumé.”
• “It seems a little risky.”

What’s wrong with these statements? If it isn’t broken why would you want to fix it? Experience is a good thing. Other companies do it that way because it works. There are a lot of costs associated with risky endeavors. This is all true, but consistently falling into conventional thought can stifle innovation, growth and improvement. The conventional thinking trap stops you from being the first to do something awesome, it stops you from creating something viral, it stops you from being a leader and slowly steers you into mediocrity.

How do you avoid the conventional trap? Here are a few ideas:

1. Try it – If you have an idea for your website, your Facebook page or Twitter, just try it. One of my favorite quotes by Wayne Gretzky explains this principle: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Stop wondering “what if” and do it.
2. Establish an innovative culture – Make it a practice to come up with fresh ideas. Take half an hour each week to brainstorm on how to improve your marketing. If you manage a bigger organization then get ideas from your employees. You could even create a contest and give a small bonus every week to the person that has the best idea. If you encourage innovation your company will thrive.
3. Be different – This is a simple but powerful principle. If you conform to what everyone else is doing then someone will most likely do it better than you. If you can differentiate yourself from the norm, you become the standard. How can you be the leader if all you do is follow?

These are just a few ideas I had that help me to avoid the conventional trap. What are some of the thing you do?

So what is the extra degree needed to take your Facebook page to the next level? What is the extra degree needed to make your YouTube video the next viral sensation? What is the extra degree that will turn your social media efforts into a strong source of revenue?

Take a little extra time to think through your social media strategy. You may already be doing a lot. Just remember, you could be one degree away from real success.

These sad employees aren't allowed to use social media at work. Could their boss help them use it to be more productive?

A recent survey reveals that social media remains a challening obstacle for employers and employees to tackle. Who’s surprised? According to the survey, “half of companies have not set out a specific policy for workers’ online social networking activities.” And one-quarter of the 800 professionals surveyed claimed their organization has had to discipline an employee for activities on social networks. Yucky stuff.

So what’s to be done? Employers, here’s some advice:

1. Throw out your draconian internet rules. Unless legal or other rare circumstances require it, don’t completely prohibit your employees’ access to Facebook, LinkedIn or other social networks simply because you’re afraid they might use them for nefarious or time-wasting purposes. Social networking can be used to grow your business (if your employees are educated how to do so).

2. Use social media (and your employees’ attraction to it)  to your advantage. Brainstorm with your staff and find out ways to use social media in your marketing or sales campaigns. You could require your employees to connect with at least one potential business client on LinkedIn each day, or have a couple workers update and maintain your company’s Facebook page twice a week. Don’t be afraid of social media. Use it.

3. Talk to your staff openly about your company’s social media expectations and requirements. It’s fine to make rules about Facebook or Twitter usage and formulate effective company policies that protect your business from rogue or irresponsible employees that misuse social media. But banning social media outright is like banning email or phones. Not smart in the 21st century.

Now, some words for employees:

1. Do not, do not, DO NOT waste your company’s time, money and talent by surfing your social networking sites during business hours–especially if it’s not for business reasons.

2. Don’t post stupid pictures of yourself or offensive/inappropriate/creepy comments on your social networks. If you must, learn about the privacy settings, and learn them well. Also, don’t EVER post your company’s private or confidential information on the interent.

3. Keep brainstorming about what you can do to help your company grow using social media. Maybe you can volunteer to create or revitalize your company’s blog. Or you can create a company Facebook, Twitter or YouTube page. Present some ideas to your boss and work with him or her to use social media for your business’ advantage, not for its self-destruction.

What do you think? Do you agree with my advice? Disagree? Do you need some help thinking up ideas on how to use social media to help your company? Let me know by commenting below.