The Cost of Social Media Phobia

Many executives may remain skeptical that the use of social media in the workplace is anything other than a distraction from the work at hand. But companies that forbid or severely restrict the modern communications technologies may miss out on assorted opportunities.

This article from CFO Magazine presents results of a study conducted by Forrester's CIO practice, which reinforces the idea that the benefits of employees engaged in social media far outweigh the risks and fears.

No doubt there will continue to be plenty of business leaders who make no effort to check the validity of their statements before uttering the staggeringly stupid remark, "There's no business value to (name the social channel)." Those who are actually interested in better business outcomes will implement the models and processes that take advantage of their employees' networks.

About

I'm Shel Holtz, principal of Holtz Communication + Technology, consulting with organizations to enhance their online communications since 1996. I have more than 30 years of experience in organizational communication, including stints as corporate communications director at two Fortune 500 companies. I'm a founding fellow of the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) and a fellow and Accredited Business Communicator through the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

I've written or co-written six books on communication, including "Public Relations on the Net," "Corporate Conversations," "Blogging for Business" and "Tactical Transparency."

Since January 2005, I have co-hosted the twice-weekly PR-focused podcast, "For Immediate Release," with my colleague and friend, Neville Hobson.

For information on consulting and speaking engagements, visit my website, www.holtz.com.

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