Using social media while at work: raise this topic in a work conversation and you will likely see people quietly scatter, not wanting to be associated with this taboo activity. I’m pretty sure there are employee handbooks the world over that have had to be dusted off and appended to include new policies banning its use during work hours.
I, too, will skirt the topic of the at-work personal use of Twitter, Facebook, etc.! But I would like to raise an important distinction about “social media” at work that is worth considering.
Most companies look to use social mainly as a marketing tool to promote a product or a brand. But what about taking the best aspects of social and using them as a way to recognize the people who are behind the brand and products? A “micro-social platform,” if you will.
This type of organizational platform takes advantage of the positive aspects of social media that fulfill basic, universal human motivators, and some of the reasons social media is so popular:
- Giving and receiving encouragement and recognition for good work.
- Building rapport between colleagues.
- Awareness of shared challenges across diverse areas of the company.
- Ideas for how to work smarter – handling difficult situations, going above and beyond for customers, supporting teammates, etc.
- Feeling like the work you do, even the “little” things, makes a difference to others and the bigger strategic picture.
Our Potential Point™ Experience Management Platform provides this “social engine” centered around communicating the impactful employee and customer experiences that happen every day in an organization that might otherwise go unnoticed or at least only seen by a few. This platform allows instant access to these “Living the Brand” actions and allows people to comment on, spotlight, and share nominations of other employees doing it right.
Imagine that! Rather than fighting against this compelling force, you can leverage “social media” at work to be a brand, engagement, and productivity booster. Read more about how the platform works in Gregg Lederman’s new book, ENGAGED: Outbehave Your Competition to Create Customers for Life. Ready for a revolution?








