Business & Networking
Business is about people relationships and communication thus using social web applications at the workplace is a natural extension in the office world. Smith’s article states how companies can and should “leverage the power of social media as a new external communication channel.” The first step is to ensure employees are “familiar with social media and how it’s being used.” IBM is an example of an early adaptor of social media at work. Slowly others are catching onto the Web 2.0 wave.
Web 2.0 @ work
Currently King County Library System (where I am employed) is participating in Learning 2.0 – 27 Things (“an online learning program to learn more about emerging technologies on the web that are changing the way people, society and libraries access information and communicate with each other”), which introduces various Web 2.0 features like Flickr, YouTube, RSS, tagging and more. Participants create a blog (link to my Learning 2.0 work blog: http://swkcls.blogspot.com/) to document their experience and complete exercises. The goal is to integrate Web 2.0 technology throughout the library system using features such as IM (instant communication), Wikis (used by individual libraries to share timely information relevant to one or more branches such as alternate closing times on snow days), MySpace (used as a library social network to attract teens to the library), Library Thing (used to share booklists) and be part of the “Library 2.0” revolution.
Laws & standards
Official “blogging@work” will begin soon according to the KCLS blogging committee who has mentioned adopting wordpress as the blog format. Standards for blogging will be an issue as well as whether or not employees will be anonymous. Currently there are no laws about blogging.
Be Smart!
The Electronic Frontier Foundation provides tips for being a smart blogger and avoid getting fired! When it comes to social networks and the workplace, using common sense is a must! Ask who do I want to see this? What are the consequences of sharing this information?
Debate about blogging at work
Pros Social interaction is key to successful work environment, Improving workplace collaberation
Cons Snooping on workers Paper – The Causes and Consequences of Social Networks in the Workplace
Relevant Images
QUESTIONS
1. In what ways do you see companies utilizing social networking technology (real examples or projection)?
2. How do you practice safe blogging?
3. Does social networking provide more negative or positive aspects for the work world?
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