I read an interesting article on how bosses should embrace Facebook at work about three weeks ago and haven't had time to comment on it until now. It's really meant to be what I consider an informative warning to upper-level management and the disconnect they sometimes have with the new generation of hires. But it's not just generational...
Social networking, in general, builds relationships and creates a positive feeling of freedom and flexibility. Think of all of the different personalities in your office. Now think of being new to that office. How long does it take to meet everyone? Are some more outgoing while others shy? Chances are you learn a bit more about a couple of key people that you spend most of your time with and have superficial information (at best) about many of the others.
Now enter Facebook. Friend your new colleagues. Take the time to look over their profiles. All of a sudden these people turn human. Better yet, you find people have similar interests you never would have known about (and it probably would have taken you a year or more to stumble across these interests in limited conversation). It ensures the quiet person doesn't get "stepped on" in conversation. Everyone gets an equal voice.
The article goes on to mention that some companies view LinkedIn or in-house social software to be more appropriate for work matters. But it stressed that banning the others (like Facebook) that employees commonly use will only keep people from forming tighter bonds. Banning such services will make employees feel that they aren't being trusted to use their time wisely. Creating an environment where employees feel they are trusted and have freedom will create a better and more productive atmosphere for the company as a whole.
Look at how Twitter has aided in finding a quick answer to problems that you just couldn't figure out. Ever think that your Facebook friends could be used in similar fashion?
I work in a university setting, obviously different than the mainstream corporate world. My department, being Education Technology Services, embraces new technology and has an open mind to how we can use tools in educational settings. I used the Facebook chat feature just the other day to discuss blogs and an upcoming training with a colleague in the libraries. I also use Facebook solely to communicate with the members of the Schreyer blogging project that I manage. What better way to schedule meetings, events, send a quick note, etc. to a group of students than on the platform they check five times (that might be a low assumption) as much as their email.
The benefits that this platform can have on the corporate world are not too different than my scenario. What does it hurt to leave Facebook or other social networking tools open? I've taken to logging into Facebook on many mornings now and just leaving it up on a separate tab for the entire day. Has it cut my productivity in any way? Not as far as I can see. In fact, I'm positive that I've been more productive since I've been leaving it open. Will my bosses be complaining? I think not. Maybe I should send them a message over Facebook to check since I can see they are on too!
Social networking, in general, builds relationships and creates a positive feeling of freedom and flexibility. Think of all of the different personalities in your office. Now think of being new to that office. How long does it take to meet everyone? Are some more outgoing while others shy? Chances are you learn a bit more about a couple of key people that you spend most of your time with and have superficial information (at best) about many of the others.
Now enter Facebook. Friend your new colleagues. Take the time to look over their profiles. All of a sudden these people turn human. Better yet, you find people have similar interests you never would have known about (and it probably would have taken you a year or more to stumble across these interests in limited conversation). It ensures the quiet person doesn't get "stepped on" in conversation. Everyone gets an equal voice.
The article goes on to mention that some companies view LinkedIn or in-house social software to be more appropriate for work matters. But it stressed that banning the others (like Facebook) that employees commonly use will only keep people from forming tighter bonds. Banning such services will make employees feel that they aren't being trusted to use their time wisely. Creating an environment where employees feel they are trusted and have freedom will create a better and more productive atmosphere for the company as a whole.
Look at how Twitter has aided in finding a quick answer to problems that you just couldn't figure out. Ever think that your Facebook friends could be used in similar fashion?
I work in a university setting, obviously different than the mainstream corporate world. My department, being Education Technology Services, embraces new technology and has an open mind to how we can use tools in educational settings. I used the Facebook chat feature just the other day to discuss blogs and an upcoming training with a colleague in the libraries. I also use Facebook solely to communicate with the members of the Schreyer blogging project that I manage. What better way to schedule meetings, events, send a quick note, etc. to a group of students than on the platform they check five times (that might be a low assumption) as much as their email.
The benefits that this platform can have on the corporate world are not too different than my scenario. What does it hurt to leave Facebook or other social networking tools open? I've taken to logging into Facebook on many mornings now and just leaving it up on a separate tab for the entire day. Has it cut my productivity in any way? Not as far as I can see. In fact, I'm positive that I've been more productive since I've been leaving it open. Will my bosses be complaining? I think not. Maybe I should send them a message over Facebook to check since I can see they are on too!