View Courtney Hunt's profileThis SMinOrgs News Digest highlights predictions for the future of social media in 2011. Most of the 40+ articles reviewed project trends related to applications like marketing and promotions, or otherwise generating consumer interest/feedback. Few predictions address how platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook (and their underlying technologies) can be or are used inside organizations to enhance communications, productivity, engagement and business results. The articles featured in this digest, combined with creative thinking, generate significant opportunities for use in the workplace.
Many thanks to Jerry Carducci for being SMinOrgs’ first News Digest guest editor! Jerry took on quite a big challenge when he agreed to review articles and blog posts focused on social media predictions for 2011. As you can see from the overview and his introduction, external applications still dominate most of the attention of social media experts and leading-edge thinkers – even though, as I discuss in Part 2 of the Social Media Primer and elsewhere, those applications are just the tip of the iceberg. – Courtney Hunt
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Introduction
Many experts predict that social media will “come of age,” in 2011; and possibly so, when considering popular applications such as marketing, public relations and customer interactions. However, as brought forth in the selected articles, there remains tremendous growth potential when applied to the workplace for recruiting, on-boarding, telecommuting and creating a culture of transparency, learning, engagement and collaboration.
- Shane O’Neill discusses technology-centered work trends for 2011 and how they will impact recruiting and how and where work is performed.
- Star Hall’s predictions suggest leveraging location-based marketing to new video platforms and text campaigns.
- The 5 Social Media Trends to Watch looks at the rise in social gaming, quick response (QR) applications and niche and general commerce applications.
- Qualman lists his thoughts on what to watch for in the social media industry, potential legislative activity and general business trends.
Combined, these authors bring considerable food-for-thought regarding different social media applications and uses in different environments that have high potential application in the workplace. If innovation, speed and connectivity are critical success factors, then why aren’t organizations looking to existing “consumerized” tools to enhance capabilities? What applications has your organization adapted to the workplace? Here are some of my thoughts:
- Corporate Apps: Web 2.0 architecture allows for access to information at speeds far beyond server-based intranets. Organizations could develop “corporate apps” that will augment or replace these slower server based intranets; enhancing the speed of communications internally and among business partners, and providing access to specific information, internal subject matter experts and skill development.
- Recruitment: Many employers currently use social media sites (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn professional groups) to identify and look into backgrounds of candidates, conduct initial interviews (Skype) and maintain relationships with “alumni.” Social media also provides a means to expand reach in sourcing, identifying and attracting untapped talent sources, and building relationships. In industries with talent shortages, social media in conjunction with traditional methods could also be used to build “farm systems” (similar to sports teams) that cultivate interest in particular career fields and provide guidance to middle and high school students, and extending these practices to “on-boarding” processes. (see related white paper on social screening)
- Social Learning: Social learning presents formal and informal means to acquire knowledge and skills through collaborative, just-in-time methods relevant to a unique work environment or role within the organization. Social Gaming, peer-to-peer learning and mentoring provide a means to target and develop critical thinking, technical and soft skills.
- Succession Planning: Mentoring and coaching have grown in popularity as one method of providing instant feedback, skill development and building bench strength. Social media instant messaging provides rapid access to coaches and mentors for situational assistance. (see related post on social media and integrated talent management)
Categories: applications, human resources, knowledge management, leadership, opportunities, social media primer, strategy
For additional articles that address related issues, click on terms of interest in the category cloud on our website.
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Title: Six Hot Workplace Trends for 2011
Source: ComputerworldUK.com
Author: Shane O'Neill
Lead Paragraph: Digital portfolios trump resumes, more workers telecommute, Social Media continues its spread, and mobile marches over desktops. Check out these key technology work trends for the year ahead.
Brief Commentary from Jerry Carducci
Businesses are looking for ways to expand their reach nationally and globally in sourcing for and attracting talent. On-line profiles posted on professional sites, recommendations and digital footprints often point to personal and professional traits as indicators of cultural fit. Employees are creating demand for commercially available mobile applications in the workplace, as a means for immediate collaboration and access to knowledge in ways that are specific to their role and work environment. If the new normal is doing more with less, why don’t organizations leverage existing consumer tools to improve individual, team and organizational performance? Behind the scenes, savvy employees are likely using them anyway!
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Title: 10 Social Media Trends for 2011
Source: Entrepreneur.com
Author: Starr Hall
Lead Paragraph: Just when you thought you had Twitter down, a basic understanding of LinkedIn and you finally know how to upload a video to YouTube, I present my take on social trends that are on the horizon next year. From plug-ins to location-based marketing initiatives to the move to higher bandwidth, there's change afoot in the world of social media.
Brief Commentary from Jerry Carducci
Social media trends discussed also offer tremendous workplace potential. Creative minds will find ways to integrate and adapt location-based marketing, social media dashboards and live video platforms to facilitate knowledge sharing, employee engagement, support virtual teams and telecommuters and create an environment of transparency, empowerment and break down barriers to change.
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Title: Five Social Media Trends to Watch in 2011
Source: Social Media Explorer
Author: Stephanie Schwab
Lead Paragraph: Where is social media headed? What is important to learn about now so that we feel like we are “in the know” six months down the road? Although everyone and their uncle is or will be doing 2011 prognostications pieces, I am jumping into the fray and offering my own predictions and a bit of analysis on where we are headed as we close out the final six weeks of 2010.
Brief Commentary from Jerry Carducci
This article is particularly intriguing as it beckons thought regarding social media features not addressed by other social media futurists. Examples of possible workplace application include: features similar to Facebook’s “friends” and Quick Reference codes could be used to capture, organize and retain mentors/coaches, subject matter experts and customize information that is rapidly accessible for broad application or a specific role or function.
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Title: 21 Social Media Predictions and Trends for 2011
Source: ClickZ
Author: Erik Qualman
Lead Paragraph: List of what to watch for in the social media industry, potential legislative activity and general business trends.
Brief Commentary from Jerry Carducci
Among the predictions are that the next phase of Social Media expansion will be more internalized within the organization, a core element of overall business strategy and in the workplace (13) and businesses will begin to eliminate blocks to Social Media in the workplace (17). Supporting the theory that Social Media in the workplace is in its infancy. What are your organization’s plans?
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