How To Integrate Social Media And Internal Communications To The Greatest Effect

By Marisol Guy


For very many years, management in many organizations regarded the use of social media tools in the ranks of their workforce as a negative towards achievement of goals. This has however changed with recent developments in both the technology that underlies these tools as well as how organizations carry out their daily operations. Increasingly, social media and internal communications strategy are seen to be compatible rather than being at odds with each other. However, the approach that an organization uses in achieving success is critical if the tools are to work.

Businesses are not just now realizing that these web based platforms are an important component in achieving a healthier better bottom line. In many ways, they are a significant aid in reaching out to consumers as well as suppliers. However, many organizations are having to learn from the basics how the tools can work in helping the workforce achieve better collaboration, connectivity and enhanced communication of their strategy.

The modern multi-layered organization finds it very difficult to achieve effective communication throughout its ranks as technology involves. The business may have little option but to invest plenty in new infrastructure and training of employees. However, since their staff will have ingrained familiarity with web based technology platforms, no extra costs will be necessary.

Some of the most innovative tools for achieving effective communication are micro-blogging platforms and it is not hard to see the reason why. These platforms are already optimized for use with the means for sharing such content as short messages unobtrusively and with proper security. This is all a company needs to communicate especially when the information being passed is only intended for a specific group of workers.

While the direct communication benefits of micro-blogging are clear, there are some other more subtle benefits that organizations can reap with an effective deployment of the tools in their ranks. These tools often work miracles in enabling companies achieve higher motivation and lifting the morale of their workforce. One way such an effect can be achieved is through quick and open communication which will effectively diffuse the effect of the rumor mill at the office.

Another area of corporate business practice that stands to benefit from the power of social networking is sharing and collaboration of information and databases. This is especially crucial when team projects have to be implemented by members who need to constantly share information and data seamlessly and securely. When you consider that very often such teams are composed of members of the workforce who do not necessarily subscribe to the nine to five workday schedule or who may be located in diverse time zones, the need for such networked platforms for sharing becomes more evident.

Corporations are also gradually realizing the power of wiki tools and platforms in helping with teamwork collaboration and sharing. The best offers are designed to offer intuitive sharing of content and information that allows full participation even when some participants do not have the technical knowhow. Another advantage of wiki platforms is that they work in a dynamic manner that allows instant accessibility to content and information. Moreover, companies can ensure that their internal information is protected from external threats by installing the wikis behind a corporate firewall.

When a social media and internal communications strategy is deployed, workers will feel better connected to the business goals. Such workers are always willing to go the extra mile in their assignments. This is an outcome that helps both workers as well as the business.




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