No Comment 27 August 2007
By Louise Marsland in Editor's column, Marketing | 8 comments
Have you sent someone a strawberry dipped in chocolate recently? Dedicated a song to a friend? Connected with more than 50 clients and colleagues and friends in one day? Become a member of over 30 professional and hobby interest groups – all in one week? Thrown a sheep in jest? If you have, then you’re a Facebook addict and well on your way to understanding the power of social networking. Facebook is the latest cyber craze sweeping the globe with more than 40 million users and a few hundred thousand new members signing up every day. Started as an academic network at Harvard, it now has networks in most academic institutions, high schools, company networks and country networks. As a tool for finding long lost pals, it’s a lot of fun; as a business networking tool, it’s unrivalled. While it might be considered a time waster by some companies banning its use during office hours and you may feel like you’re back in the playground competing for popularity as to how many friends you have… it is a networking tool of note. Technology advances led to a disconnect in communication and a site like Facebook puts back the personality, the authentic voice so necessary in communication process. Much like citizen journalism is transforming the media world and individuals are demanding transparency in corporate and Government communication, Facebook provides a fun and interactive way to connect with your professional and personal networks. It’s part of the social networking revolution that is impacting on the way we communicate professionally and personally. Last but not least, last week Monday our laptop theft video ended up being the most popular video viewed in a single day, ever, on local video- and photo-sharing site Zoopy.com, with a record 1183 views. That’s the power of social networking!
Connect yourself already!
Louise Marsland, editor@bizcommunity.com.
Marketing news: marketingnews@bizcommunity.com.
This column originally published 27 August 2007.
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Alan Hammond | Aug 27, 2007 | Reply
Its not the power of social networking - its the power of a mention in the introduction of the Bizcommunity newsletter.
The video was very interesting and reminded me that I should use my laptop security chain at the conference I attended last week.
So my laptop was fine but my digital camera was stolen from my bag! Such is life.
Lindy-Anne | Aug 27, 2007 | Reply
Facebook might be a great thing – only if visited after-hours. Trust me I speak from experience, being a Production / Studio Manager at a very busy newspaper, I was forced to treat my (usually professional and dedicated) staff as primary school children, they just did not meet there deadlines, and being in a deadline driven industry, trust me, it was a huge deal. In our weekly Management meeting, when I voiced my concern, other department managers had the same problem, we where forced to ban it. So yes, great tool, great site, but well banned from my office, to the long sulky faces that no longer can join the craze in office hours, sorry no strawberry dipped chocolates for you, but still you have the joy of chatting with your colleagues over a real cup of coffee…
Charl Nel | Aug 27, 2007 | Reply
I agree that facebook is a wonderful business-tool. I have received about 14 emails this morning and one of them were work related. While I have had contact with two clients already on Facebook and have done actual work through Facebook. I think the mass main stream market has only now caught on to “email” and the front runners have already moved on to an alternative way of communicating in order to cut out the junk that fills up your in-tray so quickly these days.
Jill | Aug 27, 2007 | Reply
I love FB, though I have to agree that it can be a waist of time. that’s why i use 8hands.
It’s a social network aggregator which lets me know whenever I get a message or when someone writes on my wall.
Louise Marsland | Aug 27, 2007 | Reply
I appreciate the concern of corporates and business work environments, Lindy-Anne, but all bannings do is drive usage underground, ie, one can connect now through mobile phones… If used properly as a business networking tool social networking sites can be very effective.
It’s like trying to push back the sea, one wave at a time to try ban things like this. It boils down, in my humble opinion as a media worker, to a lack of understanding about what the social media environment can do for your brand and your business if utilised correctly.
Wouldn’t it be better to schedule Facebook time, like cigarette breaks, than be punative?
Louise Marsland | Aug 27, 2007 | Reply
Sorry to hear about your Digital Camera Alan!
Thanks Charl for your comments - I absolutely agree, I interacted with several clients, did an interview and made some appointments - all before 8am this morning.
Facebook is incredible - one must just be a grown up about scheduling time on it so as not to interfere with work, like one would do with any business meeting or social occasion.
Tim | Aug 28, 2007 | Reply
Sounds quite intersting and exciting but not sure if I`m interested.Will think about it when time available right now I`m too tied-up.
garra | Sep 3, 2007 | Reply
I agree with having to be grown up and scheduling etc and, yes, used correctly it would be great. But, geez, you try not to be a school teacher, make concessions, turn your back and the crowd are back into the zone. Quite addictive. I know of companies that have banned it entirely, are companies taking a view? What’s the view?