Social Networking and Business
An Introduction to Social Networking
The term Social Network refers to a collection of individuals who share a common biological, social or ideological relation. The phrase Social Networking generalizes the current trend of emerging online applications that allow individuals to create symbolic digital connections with others. These virtual relationships allow individuals to share information in a variety of formats. Successful Social Networking services have begun around a variety of common interests. Some focus upon the sharing of photos, music or video while others focus around a common interest such as dating, wine or sports, others allow individuals to notify one another of their whereabouts, activities or upcoming events, and others attempt to encompass all of the aforementioned.
The ability of an organization to build social networks is fundamental to it’s success. Most business functions, such as the hiring of employees, strengthening of corporate culture, marketing of products to consumers, receipt of product feedback and provision of product support rely heavily upon the construction of meaningful social networks. The propagation and integration of technology into the lives of the common public facilitates the emergence of many innovative products and services that assist individuals in maintaining complex interpersonal relationships between acquaintances, colleagues, friends and family. These new technologies grant individuals an unprecedented ability to connect and influence one another instantaneously.
Organizations must recognize the relevance of these new services and learn how to utilize them in order to achieve their business objectives. The influence of globalization expands a consumer’s ability to access the goods and services of competing businesses regardless of their physical proximity. This emerging threat may prove catastrophic for organizations unable to exploit advances in social networking to meet the expectations of their potential customers, employees and affiliates.
