Table of Contents
Advantages and drawbacks for organizations using social media to communicate
Social media communication continues to be the most widely used means of communication across the world. Many businesses are using social media since it has the potential of reaching many global audiences within short periods. One of the advantages of this media is that it gives a perfect opportunity for the business to increase its business contacts. This is important when it comes to marketing and selling of its products and services (Robbins, DeCenzo & Coulter, 2011). Social media communication cuts down the costs of advertisement and marketing while maximizing business communication external stakeholders. On many occasions, the use of social media enables employees to share and discuss new ideas with their clients, share links and ask answer different questions. However, there can be drawbacks in using this type of communication.
According to Lipschultz (2015), social media has the potential to reduce productivity from employees especially where they use their valuable time updating their profiles and status. This means that an organisation is supposed to develop effective policies that define how employees should use social media while undertaking their responsibilities. Using social media can put the business at the risk of opening up to hackers, who can use the channel for committing fraud launching virus and spam attacks (Kapitza, 2013). Use of social media communication can put business employees on the risk of falling prey to various online scams; these scams can later result to identify theft and loss of important business data.
How do communication barriers surface when using social media versus using traditional media?
Social media communication has obstacles that tend to make it murky waters that should be avoided (Kapitza, 2013). Many of these barriers may not be common in traditional media. One of the barriers stems from the fact that communication in social media cannot be controlled as compared to traditional media. People tend to give information that can hurt others, without focusing on the consequences that such communication can have. In traditional media, rules and guidelines are followed on the kinds of information being shared (Robbins, DeCenzo & Coulter, 2011). In this regard, it is important that the business understands ways by which they can use social media communication for their advantage.
What specific steps should managers take to be sure they communicate effectively using social media?
In interconnecting using social media, it is important that managers develop policies and regulations for employees and the entire organisation (Lipschultz, 2015). One of the steps to using this approach in business communication is appointing persons that can be in charge of making official communication on behalf of the business. This step ensures that not everyone comments and gives information that is not verified and approved by the business. Secondly, there is need to define the kind of information that can be shared on social media to prevent sharing of unauthorized information from the company (Robbins, DeCenzo & Coulter, 2011). This step also ensures specific information is given to stakeholders for purposes of advancing the interests of the company. Managers should ensure to undertake research on ways by which they can have effective communication in the business.
Policies when using social media by employees
The effective use of social media communication can be a reliable approach towards reaching clients and getting their feedback. However, the effective use of this media can be best managed by having policies and regulations in place. One of the policies that safeguards social media communication is that of drawing a line between private and business communication (Lipschultz, 2015). Here, it is important that employees be restricted from sharing their personal views and perspectives while engaging business customers in its social media. For this reason, specific people are supposed to be mandated to communicate on behalf of the business in social media (Robbins, DeCenzo & Coulter, 2011). Secondly, social media communication from the business should always remain objective. This is important for avoiding perspectives and opinions that can conflict with the values of the business.
Time is an important resource that should be guarded and used for the welfare of the business. For this reason, employees should engage in social media communication after closure of business at the business. This ensures that valuable time for the business is not wasted by employees in updating their profile and statutes while in the business (Kapitza, 2013). There is need to draw strict boundaries for employees on how they can engage in social media communication. Such policies are essential in ensuring that employees remain productive while enjoying social media while at the business.
Guidelines for managers and organisations
One of the main guidelines in using social media by business managers is sticking to the business code of conduct. In the business, adherence to this code in social media and contemporary communication ensures that proper information is shared from the business, which is approved (Robbins, DeCenzo & Coulter, 2011). Business manages should always use good judgment and common sense while engaging clients in social media. Different people can have different views and perspectives, which should be respected. For dissatisfied clients, it is important that common sense be applied in answering them because they may speak in anger when addressing some issues from the business. According to Lipschultz (2015), maintaining good judgment and common sense makes it easier to keep communication as objective as possible.
When making posts in social media and communication to co-workers, it is necessary that managers be sensible (Robbins, DeCenzo & Coulter, 2011). In this regard, posts and comments that could be viewed as being malicious should always be avoided. Any posts that can be offensive to people, gender and other companies should not be tolerated because they have the potential of putting the business on an unnecessary collision with other parties. Finally, business managers should ensure to be as transparent as possible while communicating to clients and other parties (Kapitza, 2013). Where necessary, it is important to state the kind of relationship that one holds with the company. This ensures that clients become confident in sharing their information regarding the operations of the business.
- Kapitza, S. (2013). Social media communication. New York, NY: Routledge.
- Lipschultz, J. H. (2015). Social media communication: Concepts, practices, data, law and ethics. New York, NY: Routledge.
- Robbins, S. P., DeCenzo, D. A., & Coulter, M. K. (2011). Fundamentals of management: Essential concepts and applications. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.