Over the course of the last couple of weeks, I have spoken to a good few people (individuals and corporates) about social recruiting, social media and social networking in a work environment (which some people would call corporate social networking).
Quite frankly, I am amazed how some people are still viewing social media and what it can, will, should, guaranteed (take your pick here) to do!! I think that Jennifer McClure - @cincyrecruiter - seems to have some similar frustrations in her blog post today.
So in the spirit of giving a reality check to people regarding social media, please take note of my points below:)1. Social Media is NOT going to save the world! Capiche?
It is fantastic at spreading the word, but unfortunately we need to rely of the likes of Obama and the other world leaders to do that for us (I am not including my 'friend' Comrade Brown as a world leader because he won't be one soon! <<Yippee!)
2. Social Media won't help us get to the Moon
Although, Soichi Noguchi, the Astronaut on the ISS is sending some awesome images via Twitter of the earth.
3. Social media WILL NOT mean that your business will grow exponentially just because you are on Twitter or Facebook.
It can help, of course, but you still have to understand what you are doing with it, where and how you are going to use it, and then put some hard work in to make it happen! >> Have you got a strategy yet?
4.Social Media won't 'as if by magic' deposit new clients on your doorstep.
Yes, it will help initiate conversations but you still have to close the deal!
5. Social Media will not stop every job seeker in their tracks and say, " I have to go to your career site".
It will however give you a chance to engage with them and influence them - then they might just well come and have a look at what you have to off! >> Job boards please take note!!
6. Social Media is not about tell, tell tell (I could substitute sell, sell, sell in here as well).
It is a fantastic tool for engaging with new people and developing relationships. I bet, like many of you, I have initiated relationships on Twitter and LinkedIn that have moved offline into successful business relationships.
HOWEVER.......Social Media is, if adopted and used in the right way, a fantastic way of fostering relationships, building recruitment communities and developing new and innovative ways of engaging with job seekers, clients and industry peers, for the benefit of your business.
No, it wont save the world, but it will change the way you do business in the 21st century :)
