Can analysts be just “people” when it comes to social media?

April 21, 2009 | Posted by: Melissa Chadwick

An recent Industry Standard story ("Forrester Research learns a social media lesson") highlights a recent incident that raises an interesting question; can personal and business identities co-exist when it comes to social media? If you're not familiar, the story revolves around Forrester analyst Jeremiah Owyang who tweeted and blogged in his personal Twitter and blog accounts about possible financial problems at a social media company called Mzinga. The backlash from posting "rumors" was swift and both Jeremiah and his boss at Forrester Christine Overby posted apologies soon thereafter.

This incident brings to the forefront just how much the lines between personal and business are blurring when it comes to social media. Analysts have it particularly hard because fact and research is their business and people will always view their opinions - even in a personal venue - as thus. Is this reality fair to analysts? I'm not sure. Do NDA's include conversations analysts have with friends or musings they share in their personal blog? I certainly hope so.

Analysts (hopefully) provide an unbiased voice to their industries and I'm sure nobody is looking to intentionally spread incomplete or wrong information. I think the key then, as with everything in social media, is to realize that personal life will inevitably cross over into business and vice versa. And although everyone is trying to use social media to get themselves better heard, there is also time for restraint. Maybe always if you're an analyst.

There is, however, a positive side to all of this in that social media is enabling this open discourse for all of us to learn from. To that end, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this particular case or how you think analysts should act when it comes to participating in social media.