Inaugural session of ICSM 2014

The chilly morning of 10th of January 2014 marked the beginning of IIM Raipur's International Conference on Social Media for Business, and with some aplomb at that. With social media coming to the fore of human interaction in this decade, this conference was organised with the objective of pondering over the implications of this emerging pattern on the business world. The conference was inaugurated on an inquisitive note, posing questions on social media, ranging from the longevity of this trend of social media to its utility, both psychological and financial, for the corporate. On the extent of impact that social media has had on the homo sapiens, it was so touted by Prof. Vinita Sahay, Conference co-chair, that the quintessential myth of Narcissus has been realised at large, with today's youth posting selfies online and yearning for likes, comments and shares.

The importance of social media has been brought to the front very often. But the reason why this change that social media has brought about is so effective is that the entire way of life has changed. Our interactions have changed, our social needs have evolved and the social media has fueled this transition. Mr. Tushar Vyas, Managing Partner (South-Asia), GroupM said, "There is no more social inside the web, the entire web has become social... The kind of disruption that social media has caused in the existing inertia is unparalleled." The implications that have emerged from the homogenisation of social media range from issues as grave as politics, crime-fighting, natural disasters, governance and social activism to as bourgeois as fashion trends, sports and entertainment.

Social media, in its essence, is nothing but a manifestation of who we are, as humans. Mr. Niteen Bhagwat, Managing Director, Asterii Analytics defined social media as "human behaviour, amplified by technology." We as human beings have certain traits which define our most base, innate desires. Social media websites have put these traits on display for the entire world to see. It is this newfound broadbase of traits and desires that are being levergaed by the corporate entities and even other people to forge connections, catalysing a new-age social revolution and consequently, en masse social transformation.

As the age-old adage goes, "well begun is half-done." Suffice to say, what an enlightening start to a probing endeavour that is ICSM 2014.

This post is written by Jayesh Surisetti, PGP 2013-15. He can be contacted at pgp13082.jayesh@iimraipur.ac.in