Say “Yes” to Social Media in Your Workplace

Workplace trends point to the increasing use of social media in the workplace. Is your company still saying “no?” In 2012, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) discussed the expanding role of social media in the workplace. As an emerging technology, the advantages of social media included:

• Networking
• Ability to identify, refine and strengthen business relationships
• Create collaborative work opportunities and information sharing

Since that time, social media use in the workplace has increased in ways hard to imagine just a few years ago.  According to a 2015 report from McKinsey & Company, the key areas aided by social tools include:

• IT management
• Recruiting
• Talent management
• Marketing
• Customer relations management (CRM)
• Research and development

As engagement with internal facing social media deepens, some companies remain concerned about endorsing social media during the workday. Blocking social media—a losing proposition Sticking to productivity arguments, some employers prohibit the use of social media in the workplace.  Policing these policies makes little sense in a participatory workplace.  Consider:

• Companies with diverse operations must use mobile devices, apps, and other social tools to increase productivity and efficiencies
• If wasted time, or poor work value, is a problem, the issue is the employee—not regulating social media.
• Engaged employees routinely work outside of “regular” work hours.  Increasing output, engaging employees, and improving communications on, and off, the job, depends on smart use of social technology.

Last year, OrangeHRM introduced OrangeBuzz,  a secure platform that facilitates managed communication and collaboration between workplace teams and individuals.  For companies using non-specialized social tools, there are certain risks that include:

• Social engineering:  Employees without sufficient training on cyber security could prove a weak link for hackers seeking network entry.  If your social media tools offer a gateway, company data could be vulnerable.
• Information leaks:  On a non-proprietary social media tool, workers could inadvertently share, or leak, valuable company information, trends, or tips.
• Retaliation:  On an app in the wild, like Twitter or Facebook, negative comments or discussion could go viral, damaging your brand.

As a specialized tool, OrangeBuzz offers safe, collaborative sharing space easily navigated by employees or management.  Whatever your social tool of choice, say “yes” to boosting productivity, better information sharing—and increased employee engagement.