When Palo Alto Software is in need of new talent, the company culls the profiles on LinkedIn and Craigslist. “We want talent that is on the leading edge and already using social media tools,” says Chelle Parmele, social media marketing manager for the software maker of business and marketing plans. That's because the entire company collaborates in teams using online documents. Such a strategy has helped the company bring new software to market quicker in the last couple of years than ever before in its 21-year history.
Unlike Palo Alto Software, though, most small businesses haven't embraced the recruiting and managing benefits that social media platforms offer. That's true, in part, because the technologies are only just beginning to break into the business world.
Social media and networking sites — like Facebook, Plaxo, LinkedIn and microblogger Twitter — allow users to instantaneously connect with one another and share information to a preselected circle of colleagues and friends. By and large, the sites provide easy, step-by-step instructions on how to set up an account. Registration and use are free for the basic services and it takes only a few minutes to join.
Perhaps more important is the question of which site to use — and that depends on your needs. In general, LinkedIn and Plaxo are viewed as professional sites, though Facebook and Twitter are fast becoming seen as valuable for businesses as well. Visit the sites and go with the one that best suits the personality of you and your company. The sites are dynamic and constantly update features to accommodate business users.
One benefit that is often overlooked is the external perception by current and potential employees of a company that uses social media in its business. Most professionals “want to work for a company that they think is really fresh, exciting, special and cool,” says Beth Carvin, president and CEO of Nobscot, a retention management and metrics firm. Such a reputation often attracts and drives talent to these organizations: Think Google and the shopping site Zappos, whose CEO is one of the most active microbloggers on Twitter.
Unlike Palo Alto Software, though, most small businesses haven't embraced the recruiting and managing benefits that social media platforms offer. That's true, in part, because the technologies are only just beginning to break into the business world.
Social media and networking sites — like Facebook, Plaxo, LinkedIn and microblogger Twitter — allow users to instantaneously connect with one another and share information to a preselected circle of colleagues and friends. By and large, the sites provide easy, step-by-step instructions on how to set up an account. Registration and use are free for the basic services and it takes only a few minutes to join.
Perhaps more important is the question of which site to use — and that depends on your needs. In general, LinkedIn and Plaxo are viewed as professional sites, though Facebook and Twitter are fast becoming seen as valuable for businesses as well. Visit the sites and go with the one that best suits the personality of you and your company. The sites are dynamic and constantly update features to accommodate business users.
One benefit that is often overlooked is the external perception by current and potential employees of a company that uses social media in its business. Most professionals “want to work for a company that they think is really fresh, exciting, special and cool,” says Beth Carvin, president and CEO of Nobscot, a retention management and metrics firm. Such a reputation often attracts and drives talent to these organizations: Think Google and the shopping site Zappos, whose CEO is one of the most active microbloggers on Twitter.
No comments:
Post a Comment