Does your business ban social media at work?

This is VERY much the situation I am in with my employer. The very last statement from Shel is what I do "daily" just to accomplish many of the tasks I am attempting to complete for the benefit of my employer. And, yes, it can cause one to become very disillusioned.

I've been on Twitter since October 2006 (user ID 9000). Just recently has anyone in my office shown interest in this tool. I believe that is only because it is being hyped in mainstream media at this point.

This topic...again?

A couple of things to consider:

1. In an ideal world, employees blog and tweet about their companies. In the real world, where most communicators live, employees use social media to discuss their lunch plans.

2. I suspect that the attorney easily resolved his problem by simply picking up the phone and explaining the situation to someone on the Internet team.

Tip: when you shoot a video, close the door behind the speaker.

We got a huge contract at the PR company I work for because of my "personal" activity on Facebook. Someone I corresponded with regularly on Facebook changed jobs and needed a PR firm. I'd built up a ton of personal credibility with this person and they recommended me to management. We got our foot in the door because of this Facebook relationship. (Confirmed by the client, by the way.) I don't post status updates about my office. I comment about myself and my other activities and have built up credibilty that brings people TO my office. If you have employees who are creating interesting content (even if it's not directly related to what you do), you will get positive attention from other people. Remember, if they LIKE you (for whatever reason), they will want to do business with you. If your employees are constantly putting status updates about your widgets, people feel like they're being sold something. Who are you attracted to? Someone who's trying to sell you something... or someone who's a friend? (I did not actively solicit the Facebook friend's business... I had no idea they even had business for us... it came out of the blue.)