Use Social Media to Tell Employees How Awesome They Are!
The idea of using social media as an employee recognition tool isn’t an old one at all. However, since a lot of companies restrict social media access from company computers, I had pretty much placed the idea on the backburner in lieu of other things. Then I ran across this retweet from @incentintel:
RT @SteveBoese: Lesson – let people build their reputation from using social tools, ratings, small rewards, peer recognition – #tcbtalent
This brought back the idea to me. Most companies restrict access to most social media sites. So that takes the idea out of starting off a program using things like Facebook and Twitter groups for workplace recognition. However, I realized that our place, along with several other offices that I know of, still allow LinkedIn access. So what’s an easy way for recognition?
Recommendations.
This isn’t a mind blowing or revolutionary idea by any stretch of the imagination. However, it’s a simple form of recognition that many of us overlook. What a better way to publicly give someone a pat on the back for a job well done than a simple LinkedIn recommendation. Don’t just tell the person good job, let the whole world (or at least the whole LinkedIn community) know that your employee rocks!
Just something to think about. How else are people using social media for recognition?
How about canceling the ban on social media use and instead embracing it?
How about using the tools that are out there to improve processes instead of being afraid of them? Your idea about recommendations is great. What more can we do with what we have… an office twitter account or list to keep morale, updates and a conversation going (not externally, internally!).. . a ning network, to create a personal use of the social media power? a you-tube channel with videos of managers thanking employees or any other videos? The option are endless!
I am really waiting to see what other people will suggest here in the comments!
Thanks!
The industry seems to be waiting for good examples in using social media as part of a corporate recognition program. I believe the fear that companies are having with social media such as Twitter is that the posts can seemingly do as much harm as good as long as they are not screened properly. I would be interested in any ideas or examples in order to overcome this issue/perception. Engaging Twitter and social media in a recognition program is something that a lot of relationship marketing experts seem to be wrestling with. The idea of sending out Bravos via social media is a good one however the issue of setting up a non policed communication vechicle for reply has been tricky. Any help, ideas, white papers or real live examples in this area would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
There’s a delicate balance in corporate level social media in regards to being transparent but also monitoring potentially harmful content at the same time. I personally believe a lot of companies’ social media bans will eventually phase themselves out overtime as they become less “new toy-ish” and more functional. Once social media becomes more of a tool, more companies will come to embrace it. At least that’s what I predict.
Your suggestions are good ones. The ning network is a good step in integrating social media into a company that can also be easily monitored for potentially “harmful” posts. I think the industry will eventually swing this direction, it’s just going to take some time and ultimately for several companies to have repeated success stories using social media in their recognition programs before others adapt. It won’t be an overnight process but I too am excited for what is to come!
Hey,
I just found this presentation that gives some ideas and examples… I thought everybody involved in the discussion in this post will find it beneficial…
http://www.slideshare.net/gautam/how-can-hr-use-and-leverage-social-media
Elad