I'm noticing more and more meeting professionals using social media tools every day, and it makes my heart go pitter patter. When used well, these tools can accentuate face-to-face relationships.
They can also help you get promoted.
According to recent Google research on how social tools are being used in the European business world, 86 percent of frequent users have recently been promoted, with 72 percent saying that they are likely to be promoted. Compare those numbers to 61 percent and 39 percent, respectively, of non-users.
Furthermore, more than a third (38 percent) of social media users are very satisfied with their jobs compared to 18 percent of non-users.
“It says something about the organisation; often a sign of confidence in the employee that they may make free use of Internet and social media, people thrive better in their environment and they will therefore work faster and more efficiently,” said a junior executive frequent user from the Netherlands in the report.
Social media is primarily about connections, so it's no surprise that companies encouraging social media use are finding success.
"High growth companies are also significantly more likely than others to be using social tools to improve quality of work and enhance creativity and innovation, highlighting the role social tools can play in helping employees to generate new ideas and to take a fresh approach to the way they collaborate with colleagues," the researchers said in the report. "Most organisations now appreciate the need to embrace social media to communicate, market and sell; perhaps now is the time for a similar revolution to take place as regards the use of social tools within the workplace; to grab the opportunity to improve and enhance internal processes and attract and retain the best talent."
Are you a frequent social media user? How do you use the tools? Does your company encourage social media use?
(Hat tip to Mamta Saha at TechRepublic for making known the research.)