What's on Your *Business* Mind?

Discuss

Being social is no longer just an option, it's fundamental. Networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook have proven that people want to know exactly what is happening every single day, every single minute, even if it's merely being kept in the loop that the milk is off or the cat is sick. This constant need for social discussion means nothing can avoid being drafted into the networking line up. Even whilst watching Youtube (which in itself, has become a site for sharing and conversation) most sit through the action already thinking about who would appreciate a forward or link.

For businesses, discussion can only be a good thing. These sites can provide a platform on which to shout messages infront of a sell out crowd, which has led to a controversial new trend of 'astroturfing' where companies build up hype about themselves using a variety of forums and groups.

But an interesting article from profy.com adds weight to suggestions that the business world is exploiting networks rather than using them to their advantage. Of course, there are some cases where companies have used the socializing tools to good effect, but is it happening enough? This is a genuine example from earlier this year:

In a friendly media office built up of around seven different departments, each department held their own meetings and discussed their own priorities, social discussion took place but rarely business.

One day a group email was sent round asking for any travel tips about an upcoming holiday in Japan from anyone who had previously visited the country; a very sensible piece of research from someone hoping to make the most out of the trip. On the same day the author of the email then set off to an important meeting, without asking for any information or advice on a client who had already met with several different departments in the company.

Why is business conversation being ignored? Sharing insight and opinion can be so valuable, but at the moment it seems the potential is being overlooked and we are perhaps, just slightly, too interested in dated milk.

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