Recent research suggests that by the end of 2014, Facebook usage will have reduced by a drastic 80%. Does this mean we’ll all be logging off at work and becoming more productive in our daily 9-5? It’s unlikely. Since the dwindling interest of Facebook doesn’t signify the death of social media, just a shift towards fresher ‘cooler’ alternatives such as Tumblr, Instagram and SnapChat.
Social media is still very much a significant platform to communicate with customers on and keep in touch with staff that might otherwise be out of reach in a distant or busy department. Some organisations even have their own Facebook groups set up exclusively for the use of their workforce to encourage talk of projects and profits, rather than office gossip.
Facebook recently marked its decade in the industry and now boasts 1.23 million monthly users – that’s about 1/6th of the entire world’s population. But it’s not just on our lunch breaks and on the train home that we’re checking in and checking out status updates and wall posts.
Social media, including Facebook, has actually had a great impact on the working environment. It has helped usher in the use and understanding of new tools such as enterprise social suites and collaboration software, with new firms springing up to provide these and meet the changing demands of the workforce over the past 10 years.
But with 1 in 5 workplaces still blocking access to social media sites, some employers are still failing to accept the beneficial gains of social media in the professional arena.
Does banning social media boost productivity?
OK, let’s be honest. No one is going to get much work done if they’re sat commenting on last weekend’s wedding photos or giving ‘life’ on Candy Crush Saga. Yet some industry experts have warned that banning social media at work can actually have a negative influence on the work environment, hurting morale and leaving staff feeling mistrusted.
Professor of Management at the W.P Carey School of Business at Arizona State University makes a valid point: ‘Time spent on Facebook might seem like time wasted and banning it makes sense on the surface. But when people go to work, do they sit and concentrate and work for eight hours straight? No, our minds can’t take that level of concentration’
To maintain productivity, employees need small breaks throughout the day that will re-energise the mind. And Facebook, personal e-mails and talking at the water cooler are ways people refresh.
According to a recent survey conducted by job site Reed, approximately 33% of employees admit to using social networking within the office with Facebook being the most popular choice preferred by 45%, followed by LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter. Marketing and IT professionals are the most likely to be browsing social networks at work while engineers and accountants were far less likely to log into Facbeook during the work day.
With this in mind, it makes sense for employers to create their own social media policy in accordance to social media to ensure everyone is on the same page (or wall).
How to create a social media policy everyone will ‘like’
1. Set your goals
Ensure that all employees understands why you are creating a social media policy. What will be gained? How can you reflect your company values in the policy? You might be wishing to empower employees or encourage more open communication. Every company will have a unique drive, make sure your policy underlines that.
2. Make it a combined effort
Don’t go solo writing the policy yourself. Social media is a social activity so ask for collaboration from other team members. This boosts morale and highlights the team spirit ethos of the exercise. Welcome feedback, take opinions on board and reassure employees that they won’t be ‘watched’. We’re all adults here and the message should ultimately be about trust.
3. Follow some iconic footsteps
When looking for inspiration for a new brand manifesto, most of us look at what the major players are doing. It’s no different with crafting a social media policy. Apple, IBM and Nike have publically released their social media policies – check them out for some fun, refreshing ways to get your message across loud and clear.
4. Get training
When you’re happy with your template, ask everyone to read and sign the policy then ensure the correct support and training is in place to reassure the correct usage. Perhaps assign a number of employees to become a ‘task force’ to deal with queries that need resolving.
5. Keep it current
Now that you’ve established yourself as a company that’s up-to-date with staff requirements in the digital age, make sure you don’t fall behind on the latest advances. New trends and platforms emerge constantly, keep on top of them and make sure staff realise you’re moving with the tide of progress – not against it.
