Chick-fil-A: Stop Trying to Control the Conversation

When people are under stress, many respond with remarkable grace, courageand decisiveness. Then there are those who, under great stress, becomeparalyzed, flail about, or lash out in unproductive and unprovoked ways.

The social era is showing us that while corporations are not people, they are run bypeople. And choosing wisely when elevating people to leadership positions is critical. It can makethe difference between whether the business reacts with great grace or with panicwhen faced with a crisis.

Take the Chick-fil-A kerfluffle of this summer. I have an opinion on the root issuesof it, but that’s not the point of this column. The point here is that Chick-fil-A didsomething that virtually all people can agree was dumb and damaging to customerrelationships.

Don’t Be Shifty

I’m not even talking about the phony Facebook account, for which the company has deniedresponsibility — although it does demonstrate how easily a crisis can spin out ofcontrol. (Note to other companies: Don’t create fictional people to argue for you– and look out for potentially fictional people on your Facebook account in crisissituations.)

I’m talking about something that occurred before phony Facebooker “Abby Farle”materialized on Chick-fil-A’s fan page — although it’s connected to her boguscomments.

When CEO Dan Cathy’s remarks about gay marriage were publicized,the Jim Henson Company severed ties with the restaurant. Muppet toys were beinggiven away in children’s meals; the Jim Henson Company released a statement thatsaid, in part, “the Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity andinclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-fil-A that we do notwish to partner with them on any future endeavors.”

Fair enough — with the storm clouds gathering, the Henson folks wanted to get outof the line of fire. Moreover, they felt they needed to cut ties to adhere to their ownethical standard. And they were transparent about their motivations and actions.

Shortly thereafter, Chick-fil-A posted signs in at least two stores saying the toys had beenremoved from meals the day before the Muppets bailed out, citing “safety concerns.”That explanation was then verified by the company as the reason the toys were being removed fromthe meals. It had nothing to do with the decision of the Henson organization to walkaway from their partnership — nothing at all.

Don’t Tangle With Muppets

I’m trying to take all of this at face value and give people the benefit of the doubt.But here it is: If you pick a fight with the Muppets, you’re going to lose. And if youmake it look like you’re being deceitful, spiteful, or less thantruthful, don’t be shocked when people assume a fake Facebooker is yet anotherattempt to control and shape the conversation.

This goes to the concept of being authentic — a key part of what it means to buildrelationships in the social CRM era. People want to do business with people theylike, and most people have misgivings about businesses when there’s a pile-up ofcontroversial and potentially dishonest anecdotes about them.

One is an anecdote,two is a coincidence, and three is a trend — and by the time you get to three,customers are disinclined to do business with you.

Chick-fil-A can assume any stance it wishes on any issue, but when it comes tocommunicating with customers, the only valid and effective stance in the social erais honesty. If you’re proud of your stance, stick with it and be forthcoming about it– don’t obfuscate, don’t create your own version of the truth, and for heaven’s sake,don’t impersonate a teenage girl on Facebook (not sayin’ they did — just saying it’s a horrible idea).

It may sound glib, but it’s true: If you’re not transparent insocial media, customers are going to see right through you.