Business vs. Social Media

This past week, news spread about the extremely popular British chain of pubs known as Wetherspoons closing down all of it's social media accounts. In today's world of technology, Business and Social Media tend to go hand in hand -- it raises awareness of the company and products and allows for community engagement in ways that were previously difficult to achieve. So, when news of JD Wetherspoon's chairman Tim Martin's decision to shut down both their Facebook account with over 100,000 followers and Twitter account with over 44,000 followers for the head office and  all 900 of their outlets, it raised a few eyebrows.

Martin, considered to be a Captain of Industry with his extremely popular and successful chain of pubs, told The Guardian Newspaper that he decided to shutter the social media accounts for multiple reasons, all focused around the idea that running the firm's operations correctly comes first and foremost before any social media should be used to get the message out about any improvements. The overwhelming view of not only his but the majority of the Pub Managers is that the loss of social media will not affect their business whatsoever -- that dependence on social media is just a misconception that people choose to believe.

Martin believes that social media is nothing but a distraction to both his employees and the guests as it interrupts staff procedures and impedes healthy social interactions. People should be socializing in the moment with those around them in the bar, not on their phones.

In a statement, Martin explained;

"The people who aren't on social media wish that their friends weren't either, because they seem to be obsessed by it. And people who are on it feel they can't get off it because their addicted."

In other words, the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) drives people to continuously be on their phones and checking for new updates. This addiction and FOMO are driving wedges between any healthy social interaction people should typically be having in a social setting such as a pub. In addition, Martin also explained how it's more than just socialization, but the misuse of personal data with the recent Facebook Data scandal, and trolling, specifically of a political nature.

Other's such as CNBC news speculate that the closure of the social media accounts is connected to the backlash Wetherspoon experienced after printing 500,000 beer mats in support of leaving the EU back in 2016.

Regardless of any possibly connections, Martin fully believes that those in the hospitality business don't benefit nearly at all from social media. With 900 locations, people don't need social media to figure out your hours or menu. He also makes the point that Tweeting won't solve any problems -- if the food is bad, writing about it online won't fix the issue, only physically doing so at the base of operations will make any difference.

"Would a significant social media presence make up for lousy service or a faulty product?"

Pros of such a view would be that operations and staff are more focused on perfecting daily operations, greater chance for in-the-moment socialization, and saving time and resources as neither would be wasted on running such a large amount of social media accounts.

Cons of such a view, however, would be loss of major forms of communication, loss of community engagement, and how this decision will not stop any Wetherspoon customers from using their own social media whilst visiting. As an increasingly globalized world, many people the Internet as an outlet to say their piece anonymously behind a screen. With no social media to submit any form of criticism or praise, the company will be extremely less likely to receive any -- how would they really know what they are doing right and wrong without feedback? Also, by deleting their social media, customers will not only not be heard, but they will feel like they're refused a voice, possibly giving off the impression that Wetherspoon doesn't care about their customers.

Social media is everywhere and constantly growing. It is such a prevalent part of society today, that it is becoming all the more important to allocate time and effort towards an online presence. Do you believe that Tim Martin has a point regarding his reasoning, or do you believe shutting down his social media accounts will only hurt his business?