Communicate before posting social media policy
New research based on a survey from Robert Half Technology indicates that 54 percent of chief information officers (CIOs) do not allow employees to visit social networking sites for any reason while they’re at work. As social media sites become a popular tool to help leverage business, organizations are hurriedly crafting social media policies for employees.
Many organizations fear that employees will potentially damage a company’s reputation (not to mention their own). The report from Robert Half pointed out, “professionals should let common sense prevail when using Facebook and similar sites, even outside of business hours. Regrettable posts can be a career liability.”
Before your organization creates a formal social media policy giving employees guidelines and telling them how they should not be using social media, try balancing that by giving them some ways that they should use it. Some questions to pose to employees before distrubuting an official policy:
- What is the purpose of social media in relation to our business? Let your employees know what they can do, and how they can positively influence your organization’s business goals through their communications on social mediums. For instance, if one of your sales managers is trying to create more leads for a highly specialized division of business, help him map a plan that can lead back to his goals and point out the appropriate mediums he could leverage to achieve these goals.
- Are you willing to take personal responsibility for what you write? Try to encourage positive communications and using common sense when communicating online. Help employees to understand how to exercise good judgment before they post, as their statements are not just a reflection of them, but they are also a reflection of your company.
- Do you consider your entire audience? While many people are connected to personal contacts and peers online, it is good to remind employees that current (and future clients), business partners, and past, present, and future employees have the potential to read what they are publishing.
- Did you remember to protect confidential and/or proprietary information? While it may seem like common sense to the business owner, employees may need to be reminded that confidentiality agreements and non-disclosure terms carry over to social mediums.
- Have you considered the value that you want to bring through these communications? Clearly talk with your employees about the value that you’re looking to add via social media communications. Whether you are hoping to gain “buzz” about a new product or frame your conversations about the specific point of view that you have about an issue, make sure your employees understand how to add value with their communications.
