Social Networking – The Corporate Realm – Just or Unjust?
It is increasingly becoming the norm for companies to explore Social Networking opportunities as a means for marketing.
What does this actually mean?
Social Networking as it is dubbed refers to such sites as
www.myspace.com
www.facebook.com
www.friendster.com
www.linkedin.com
Sites such as these offer companies great exposure to a mass of different audiences. Some companies are now even requiring membership into these social websites. They are even hiring people to explore social networking as a real marketing position within the company.
In lamens terms social networking sites turn users into profit generators.
On the flip side…..
Not only is it a great marketing exposure medium but it also a great way to find employees!!!! This has a good and a bad side. One the company can see who you really are and two the company can see who you really are!!!!!
To me this is almost an invasion of privacy however when you decide to build your profile you are putting yourself out there for anyone to see pretty much. Is it lawful and moral to use your personal life, friends, groups, and demeanor as a means for hiring? I guess it is, they do it already with checking your criminal background, credit, driving record, etc.
Recently a friend took down her profile on one of these sites and when I asked her why she told me that the job she was applying for asked for any of her online profiles so they may take a look at them. Can they actually ask that?
Where do the laws protect citizens and their private lives?
In an article by Gartner they warn companies about “getting caught up in the hype”
Gartner says,
“the hype around social networking doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a mature enough technology to make it a critical business requirement.
There is also little evidence that social networking will be as beneficial for businesses as other Web-based communications technology, such as instant messaging.”
The question is will business listen?
I hope so and for everyone’s sake…. I know in my case my personal life has never affected my business ethics and morals but apparently it is increasingly becoming more popular in the evaluation of employees to explore these areas as a deciding factor for hire.
How you can protect yourself
I suggest if you would not like your company to know your personal life to adjust your profiles to a privacy setting or at least filter your content to “business acceptable” whatever that may mean. I am sure you get the drift.
