Subscribe by Email

Your email:
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube Google+ Inbound Marketing Blog

Latest Posts

Kuno Bloggers

Categories

Inbound Marketing Agency Blog

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

Why Your Company Should Not Block Facebook or Twitter

Posted by Roman Kniahynyckyj on Thu, Sep 30, 2010 @ 06:14 AM
 

cleveland does your company block facebookThe below vignette is a true story. Names and descriptions have been changed to protect the innocent.

[INTERIOR: LARGE COMPANY AUDITORIUM - MORNING]

Top managers gather for a quarterly update meeting. Among the agenda items is the unveiling of an organization-wide social media strategy. The CEO steps up to the podium.

WELL DRESSED CEO:

My daughter asked me the other day if I tweet. "Huh?" I said.

(smattering of audience laughter, CEO nods sheepishly)

Today our VP of Marketing will discuss our social media strategy...and tweeting.

(polite laughter; VP of Marketing approaches podium)

VP OF MARKETING:

Hi everyone, I'm very exciting to show you our new Facebook and Twitter pages. Please be sure to retweet or like any posts that appeal to you. Oh, and since Facebook and Twitter is blocked here at work, you'll have to do this on your own time...

(confused murmur from audience)

Cut! Print!

I was in this meeting.

It took place only a few months ago and got me thinking about how many of today's employers block access to key social media properties.

Blocking sites like Facebook and Twitter is unecessary and couterproductive, here are some reasons why:

  1. Trust: If companies can entrust their employees with things like patient care, financial data, or customer care it follows that they should be able to trust these very same employees with something like access to social media properties. Social media policies should, of course, be put in place to provide guidelines for your employees. 
  2. Creativity: There are pundits out there that calculate the billions lost with employee status updates and tweets. Ultimately though, our minds need a reprieve from our workplace tasks - that's why we have smoke breaks, coffee breaks and water cooler conversations. Stepping away from a problem via Facebook or Twitter may actually help you solve it.
  3. Empowerment: You become powerful by empowering others. If you think you are optimizing productivity or security by blocking certain sites, you are  probably doing the exact opposite while creating an illusion of security for yourself and your company.
  4. Happiness: Your employees might work 40 hours a week but when you factor in commutes, prep time, and work that is brought home - it's a lot more than 40 hours. If you can increase your collective workplace happiness by letting your call center folks see their friend's vacation pictures or new boyfriend on Facebook, you will likely be paid forward with a more productive workplace.

Don't be the CEO I described above. Be this CEO.

Does your company block Facebook or Twitter? Tell us why...

pic: Joshua

    Free Conversion, SEO & SMO Guide for Blogs

    Blog Post Optimization Playbook

    Tags: , , ,

    Comments

    Totally agree with your points Roman! I can see both sides to the argument as we work with some large companies that could be severely affected financially if an employee would download a virus from a social site that would shut down the network for some time.  
     
    That said though, that's where education and constant reminders come into play. A social media policy is not enough. Employees need to be educated on best-practices, things to look out for and the pro's and con's of using social media at the work place. 
     
    As far as it hurting productivity, I agree with you that I don't see that as a legitimate argument. People have been hanging out at the water cooler for years - will companies lock that down? It really comes down to employee trust. Hold employees accountable for what they need to get done as part of their job responsibilities and if they want to take a mental break and check in on Facebook, let them. 
     
    The employees that abuse it are probably the same employees that hang out at other's cubicles for long periods of times, several times a day. My point is that it's probably more of an employee issue than a social media issue. 
     
    Facebook and Twitter can be powerful tools for companies when used appropriately. And even if these two sites go away, the way in which people/employees engage are here to stay :) Great article!
    Posted @ Thursday, September 30, 2010 8:48 AM by Jeff Coon
    I think disciplined, responsible use of the internet at work should be allowed, and even encouraged. Yes, if a person is on social networking sites, or otherwise, for an extended period of time, then I do think it's a problem. I know some workplaces that even encourage use of Facebook and Twitter. It helps get the word out about what their company is doing. Our church also encourages use of Twitter during services for the very same reason. Yes, I know the appearance is that you're not paying attention to the message. But it draws more people in.
    Posted @ Thursday, September 30, 2010 11:15 AM by Joel
    I think for some staff members, Facebook and Twitter could be blocked, but I'm an administrator on the account and since I do all the posting to these accounts, i have access. I'm thinking that it could be a good thing but also you have to monitor it and make sure people aren't playing FARMVILLE all day long.
    Posted @ Thursday, September 30, 2010 12:01 PM by Greg White
    I have to block this kinf od site beacuse they spend too much time of his work everyday playing or watching videos. Also we have many VoIP phones that require a very high quality internet conection and they spend all tha internet bandwith watching videos in facebook or somewhere else. For their work they don't really need to be connected in social media.
    Posted @ Thursday, September 30, 2010 8:51 PM by German
    Nice post Roman! We're living in some interesting times and companies are going to have to articulate policies that serve their development goals and manage productivity at the same time. For the most part I agree with your points and the other comments here...hmmmm, are we preaching to the converted? 
     
    Have a great day!
    Posted @ Thursday, September 30, 2010 9:49 PM by Andy Xhignesse
    Roman, i agree with you. As companies continue hopping on the Social Media bandwagon, they will eventually have to stop blocking facebook and twitter. If employees are 'wasting' time on facebook, they are probably bored and not engaged, so there is a bigger issue. If employees can't use facebook and/or twitter they will find another site and continue procrastinating.
    Posted @ Friday, October 01, 2010 8:32 AM by Vesna
    Vesna - You are exactly correct. It's not a Facebook or Twitter issue, it's an employee management issue.
    Posted @ Friday, October 01, 2010 2:52 PM by Roman
    Comments have been closed for this article.