Melange: How is Social Media Redefining the Business Arena?

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) By Asiya Raheem

Social media has revolutionized the whole world. From the way we talk to the way we buy things, everything has been influenced by social networking. Be it small businesses or big corporations, all companies today are employing this tool to grow their business. Kashmir too is seeing a rapid increase in online shopping and other online services. It is not long before people will prefer to buy even the basic essentials with just a click. Despite the popularity of social networking, some companies and institutions are still apprehensive about allowing the use of social media as they fear it may distract employees and reduce their efficiency at work. Team KO asks a few people about their opinions in this regard. Here is what they have to say.

I think more people today depend on the internet for information. It is more important than ever to ensure that people understand both the positive (support groups, access to information) and negative (misinformation, cyber bullying) aspects of the Internet and social media. The internet has redefined our definition of privacy.

Access to internet is always a great thing. In my opinion, the only drawback is that with the rise of social media, information can often become diluted or people can easily be misinformed. There are plenty of examples where incorrect information from social media was even reported by news channels.

The advent of social media and technology has led to greater access of news and information. The barriers of time and space that existed prior to the birth of the internet have been removed. Social networking allows people to build and sustain relationships and communities without any regard to their global location. The interaction between members can be as instant as face-to-face interaction.

Social networks serve to disseminate information, but the validity of this information cannot always be verified. Social media can be used to spread rumors, propaganda and misleading information. Sometimes this information can have a negative impact on the lives of people. Apologies and rectifications tend to not reach as many people as flashy erroneous information. Harm is not always undone or compensated. 
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Social networking has become an unquestionable part of our everyday lives. So many people have accounts on websites like Twitter, Facebook, etc. which they use and update daily. Those who are always online do not realise that they are losing their connection with the real world. 

Nowadays, an online reputation is more important as communication thrives through social networking. New cliques are created and some are even finding ways to make their living online. Social media seems to have quite the impact, especially on teenagers. However, most do not see that it has negative aspects as well. 

Social media marketing or SMM is a form of internet marketing that makes use of various social media networks in order to achieve marketing communication and branding goals. Social media marketing primarily covers activities involving social sharing of content, videos and images for marketing purposes as well as paid social media advertising. 

Social media is a key player in the job search process today. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ allow employers to get a glimpse of who you are outside the confines of your résumé. Social media also offers job seekers an opportunity to learn about companies offering employment and also connect with current and former employees.

Social media use in workplaces is very real. What varies is the approach to managing it. Yes, there are still those of you who want to simply block all social media applications like Facebook and twitter. But most executives are keen on striking a balance of acceptable use.

Not only has social media changed the way we communicate, these applications have also presented great opportunities for businesses. More and more companies are now using social media to reach their customers and expand their business.

Social networking sites should not be blocked in colleges and companies. Academics keep saying that social media distracts people, especially students. But this completely depends on an individual. There are many colleges and companies where in they actually use these sites for communication, marketing, announcements etc. Colleges and companies should guide people about how they can use social networking appropriately and benefit from it because in today's world, no one can ignore or stay away from it.

If you are a seller, there is a very good chance that many of your prospective customers will find it easier to buy online. Online social media can offer a low-cost way to make relevant connections, access buyers and reach a wide customer base.

Some organizations use a corporate Facebook page to communicate new programs or policies to their employees. A key benefit is that employees can react to announcements immediately with comments or questions. Other employers use a corporate blog or video sharing to keep employees around the world engaged in regular meetings. Social media can be an excellent tool for quickly disseminating information in an organization.

Social networking distracts us. Social media has become a source of entertainment and a means of procrastination. With people checking Facebook, Whatsapp, or Twitter every five minutes, their productivity diminishes. We are constantly bombarded with notifications from social media. In many cases, social media may turn into an addiction or obsession.

Employees tend to feel more engaged in the workplace if they feel informed and if they believe their opinions are heard. Social media can provide employers a means to spread their word as well as to channel employee comments.

When it comes to the workforce, there is an arbitrary fine line between personal and professional identity. Many organizations implement a 'no social media while on duty' policy so that employees do not mix their spare time hobbies with work. In some situations, organizations have no social media presence at all, which leaves employees feeling guilty about browsing Facebook and Twitter at work. The fact is that a company needs to think about its social media policy in realistic and constructive ways. 

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