Modern Technology, Social Media and the Social Networked Business

Tish GrierSocial Media Specialist

Easthampton, MA413-265-1500

A few facts about Tish Grier

Pioneer and Innovator in the use of online social networks for

• Crowdsourcing intellectual research• Volunteer recruitment• Creating new forms of journalism • Public Relations; Cross platform

promotion to drive traffic and participation

• Marketing and community building

• Editorial blogging• Professional blogging for

conferences and events• Freelance writer-journalist

Technology shapes the 20th Century

Technology shapes business growth

Communications technologies boom

1996: Along comes The Internet

People start sharing,chatting, and creating content

MORE ADVERTISING!

MORE BROADCASTING!

People keep sharing, chatting, and creating content

2006: The Rise of the Social Networks

Businesses respond to social networks and increased info

sharing

3 key areas of your business affected by social media and social networking

• News and Information

• Marketing and Related Functions

• Human resources

People get news and information about your local business…

47% mostly on the Internet

29% from print newspapers

2% go to newspaper websites

22% from word of mouth from family& friends

Sex distribution of social networking site users in 2008 and 2010

Age distribution of social networking site users in 2008 and 2010

In 1996, only 8 percent of individuals said they couldn’t live without the Internet

In 2011, 98 percent of individuals said they could not go 24 hours without checking

Facebook

In Marketing, it’s all about the Voice of the Customer

If the customer has a voice, then you need a voice, too.

Is there an ROI for Social Media?

• YES! However…before you begin…• Determine where you want to start your social

media• Have objectives and/or reasonable goals• Create benchmarks• Know your website stats before you start• Combination of tracked data and outcome

data not directly linked to your social media program

Connundrums for Human Resources

• If it’s on the Internet, it’s public information, right?

• Beyond the usual Background Check.

• What’s a Social Media Policy?

A reasonable expectation of privacy

• Attorney Catherine Crump of the ACLU said in a statement: "It's an invasion of privacy for private employers to insist on looking at people's private Facebook pages as a condition of employment or consideration in an application process. People are entitled to their private lives."

Facebook advises against asking for passwords

• As a user, you shouldn’t be forced to share your private information and communications just to get a job.  And as the friend of a user, you shouldn’t have to worry that your private information or communications will be revealed to someone you don’t know and didn’t intend to share with just because that user is looking for a job. 

• Employers also may not have the proper policies and training for reviewers to handle private information.  If they don’t—and actually, even if they do—the employer may assume liability for the protection of the information they have seen or for knowing what responsibilities may arise based on different types of information (e.g. if the information suggests the commission of a crime).

Help employees understand their role in the social space

• Create a social media policy• Inform employees of limitations on pictures

and liabilities of discussions about the workplace

• Help them understand how to protect their rights and privacy as much as limit the company’s liabilities

• Consider other kinds of social media participation as well

• Remember: you cannot control employee actions outside of the workplace

Poor Pittsburgh Pierogi!

The technology and tools may be simple, free, and ubiquitous….

There’s a lot to consider with tech & tools and a lot to learn. You need a lot of time to develop your strategy and see it through.

Thank You!