Social Networking

Social networks can be used in a variety of ways in the corporate world. One way is, recruiting. "Social networking technology is absolutely the best thing to happen to recruiting — ever”, says Maureen Crawford-Hentz recruiter for Osram Sylvania in Langfitt’s article. Using Linkedin, for example. has changed her life, she claims. By typing in keywords she is able to find quality candidates in seconds, unlike any other medium. Linkedin also has a few other uses, not just for recruiters, but for those seeking a job/to network. It “also helps job hunters market themselves online by setting up profiles, listing work history and specific skills” and “allows users to share their online Rolodexes”. Companies can also use social networks to market their brands and connect with customers.

One of the benefits of social networks is increased communication. Where previously it may have been difficult and maybe even expensive to communicate with family and loved ones, social networks have provided a way to stay connected with people from all over the world efficiently. Instant messaging, post updates, allow you to keep up to date with those you care for. The same can be said for companies and their customers, as I have mentioned above. Companies can become aware of their customers' needs, wants, advice, dislikes, etc. Another benefit is the sense of community it brings to people’s lives. Whatever your interest, hobbies, career choice, religion, you can find like-minded individuals with these same characteristics. Like never before you can now be a part of, and interact with, hundreds of people online who share commonalities. Those who may have never met someone who likes to for example collect coins, can now reach the community they have been longing for. Companies can now provide a space for all of their customers to connect with each other as well. The police force has also greatly benefited from social networking. Many criminals spill the details to their criminal activity online and police officers have been able to apprehend them because of the evidence they post online (photos included). Many innocent people have also been able to absolve themselves of any wrong doing/criminal activity because they posted online at the time of the crime.

Along with these benefits, social networking has a slew of negatives. One of the main concerns is privacy! “Scammers are tapping into the personal data available through Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn to pose as your friends in fraudulent emails”, according to Emily Patterson’s article. Clicking one of these links can lead to inadvertently downloading malware to your computer. Many users are also divulging tons of personal information online, like there locations, leaving them vulnerable to theft, and other criminal acts. Users disregard for what they post has also lead to many employers firing employees for their online footprint. Pictures of employees smoking marijuana, heavy drinking, racist rants or the like are damaging to the company when the social network user also posts about their workplace. Users are urged to keep information that could potentially be damaging for any reason off of the internet as it will practically be there forever. Other negatives of these social networks include the psychological effects to one’s self esteem (“His/her life is better than mine”), bullies being able to reach you at all times as well as bullying from complete strangers, and the decrease in quality social interactions.

In the future companies may create their own social networks. As an employee or if it'll be geared to customers, they can keep users informed on new job opportunities or products, company events or community events, or maybe other employees or customers in your area. 

Sources:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6522523&sc=emaf – Frank Langfitt

http://www.bbb.org/blog/2013/01/new-wave-of-phishing-scams-uses-facebook-info-for-personalized-spam/ - Emily Patterson