Periscope and Company Culture: Big Possibilities!

Recently I took a chance on something new. I did a Periscope Q & A. I was a bit nervous as I'd never used Periscope before. How would it work? Would people view it? Would they ask questions? It was all a big question mark. The short answer: I loved doing it.

Just to track back a moment to explain what prompted it. A short time ago I wrote two pieces about the fast moving story around FIFA. They were focused on the areas I care and write most about: ethics, governance, and the role of large organisations in society.

One was for my monthly Project Syndicate column - this month I wrote a piece called “The FIFA Syndrome” about FIFA and others, like the retail and tech sectors, and the price other people are paying to create the things we enjoy, in the form of being subject to terrible working conditions. That piece was picked up by news outlets around the world, including the World Economic Forum’s Agenda blog. The second was an opinion piece for Fortune Magazine on the culpability of the FIFA sponsors, and what they would need to do from here on out.

Both pieces garnered a lot of comments and questions via Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, as well as emails sent via my website. There were so many great comments and questions, but how to address them all in a timely way in the midst of a fast moving events?

Then it hit me. I'd downloaded Periscope earlier on the week (I'm an Android person so only just got access to it). I was intrigue by the couple of Periscopes I’d watched and it struck me that it would be a great way to have a real time global conversation. 

I tweeted that I'd be doing a Q & A and put a note on my Facebook page and on LinkedIn. Project Syndicate and the World Economic Forum (WEF) kindly retweeted the announcement, and at the appointed hour, I started it up. 

It was amazing to watch the numbers grow. I began by addressing some of the things people had sent in advance via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and email. Then the questions and comments started coming in via Periscope and off I went, trying to answer the questions as quickly as possible. 

Then - disaster! The broadcast stopped! I tweeted an apology and started again and people kindly came back for attempt number two. People joined in from all over the world, and they typed questions and comments. After about half an hour I brought it to a close.

I've done plenty of tv, but this was, without a doubt, one of the most invigorating and challenging broadcasts I've ever done. The real time nature of the questions and feedback (hearts are the best!), the opportunity to talk about things that people were genuinely interested in rather than trying to guess what they might want to know, and also the fact that the story was evolving while we were chatting on Periscope made for a challenging and pacey experience.

There was a lot to keep track of and it sometimes felt like I was playing the piano and reading a book aloud at the same time. Holding the camera steady, reading the questions, answering, checking the tweets – it is a lot to do. Next time I'll know how to tweet the link (make sure the Twitter bird is on), I'll try to keep better track of the questions (tricky cause they fade so fast) and, according to one commenter, I need to say less "umms".  

After all that description you might be interested to see the result. I'm sorry, but you can’t. Periscopes are only are available for replay for 24 hours, so it is already gone. I was able to keep a copy of the broadcast on my mobile, but it doesn't have all the comments and hearts. This ephemeral nature of the broadcast was something I wasn't sure I’d like, but actually it rather appeals to me.

I can see there being a number of great uses for Periscope, and not just for broadcasters. It could be a great means for companies to communicate, both internally and externally. It has the ability to do private broadcasts that people can join by invitation only, so it could have potential for a low cost low barrier way for making company wide announcements or having a check in with people who work for the company around the world.

It would also be great for interactive company announcements or behind the scenes live tours of something people don’t usually see – the backend workings of a factory, the behind the scenes prep for a big announcement, live interviews with special guest. Not only is it low cost and low barrier to entry, but since it works on Android and Apple operating systems and can be viewed on the web, almost anyone can view it no matter where they are in the world. Without a doubt companies should be looking at creative ways to use it.

I'll definitely be doing more of these. I think they’ll get better with practice.

Come find me on Periscope and join me for my next attempt. I'm @lucymarcus, just like my Twitter username.

I'd love to know your hints and tips on how to do it better next time. All thoughts are most welcome. Share them in the comments below, tweet them to me at @lucymarcus or come chat with me and others who have thoughts on it via my Facebook page.

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