using social media to engage employees
DESCRIPTION
Slides from Using Social Media to Engage Employees at the Alliance for Workplace Excellence Thinkfest. June 1, 2010TRANSCRIPT
Using Social Media to Engage Employees
AWEJune 1, 2010
Janet McNichol
why social media matters tools to know and how to use them tips
Engaging Employees Using Social Media
This slide is by Tasha Bock with credit to James H Fowler & Nicholas A. Christakis the authors of Connected.
Hyperconnected
Photos by Alexander O'Neill, Johnny Jupiter Photo and vanz, Flickr
There have always been fears that each new form of technology will diminish good-old-fashioned means of maintaining friendships.
But social networks have only grown stronger with the dawn of the telegraph, phone, and the internet!
Ways We’ve Been Communicating
newsletters static intranets managers (maybe) in-person meetings posters and physical
materials
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
• social media sites• company blogs• online videos• lots of technology
that we haven’t thought up yet!
Ways We’ll Communicate From Now On
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
Social Media has Changed Expectations
4 out of 5 adults use social media
93% believe a company should have presence on Social Media sites
42% of adults and 55% of youth want to interact with their favorite brand through one or more social media tools
Thanks to www.brandingeye.com for the image
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
Really about access to
information
• Communicating with and interacting with employees and families the way they are used to receiving information
– On demand– Real time
– Personalized– Anywhere
Networks Go Online
Photos by facebook.com
These social networks reflect both real world offline interactions and new social networks or connections formed online.
This slide is by Tasha Bock with credit to James H Fowler & Nicholas A. Christakis the authors of Connected.
Today’s Most Popular Websites
How Many of You Use…
Online Networks
What is it?
• Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and thousands of other social networks connect individuals and communicate interests and activities. Sites like Ning even let you create your own. Whether personal or professional, they are incredibly powerful tools for distributing information and ideas.
Good HR Comm uses• Add profiles to your intranet so
employees can post a photo, some of their interests outside of work and what they are working on—tremendously helpful for geographically dispersed teams
• Network employees who are hired in the same month—let them go through orientation together, even virtually, and share their experiences
• Create a Facebook group for wellness events (especially if you’re doing a lot of online classes or events—get families to join too for frequent updates and information!)
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
• founded in 2003• more than 65 million members half are outside
the U.S.• considered the new Rolodex or resume• strong “groups” function• median age is older than most social
networking sites
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
• founded in 2004• more than 1.5 million pieces of content (web links,
news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.) are shared daily
• 300 million active users + 50% log on to Facebook in any given day
• fastest growing demographic is those 35 years old and older
• The average user has 110 “friends” of those 6.6 are close friends. (from with credit to James H Fowler & Nicholas A. Christakis the authors of Connected.)
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
• founded in 2006• top 50 website with 1000+% growth each month
• 45-54 year olds are the top demographic• Short, succinct, rapid fire, real-time
messages = conversational
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
What is it?• Microblog that lets you post
only 140 characters at once• Also: Yammer and internal
platforms
Good HR Comm uses• Everything you would use a blog for –
but shorter!• Promoting blogs and other online
content• Quick tips and reminders• Customer support• Mobile access for employees and
spouses• Searching for current information• Creating searchable notes of
interesting articles
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
It’s easy to archive and search your tweets.
Blogs
What is it?• Simple and easy way to
create web content and self-publish.
• They also give readers the opportunity to respond with comments and have a dialog with the author.
Good HR Comm uses• Leadership communication (send out
messages from the CEO in a blog format so employees can respond—make sure to address the comments!)
• News and updates—almost anything can be communicated in a blog format, giving readers an chance to give instant feedback
• Public recognition and employee-driven recognition—let employees recognize each other’s accomplishments or add kudos to an official recognition
Reality and Wikiality
Photo by Wikipedia.com
Wiki = the Hawaiian word for “fast.”
Online wikis are designed to allow anyone to share information fast!
This slide is by Tasha Bock with credit to James H Fowler & Nicholas A. Christakis the authors of Connected.
Reality and Wikiality
Photo by Wikipedia.com
Some think wikipedia is not reliable because anyone can write anything! But social networks emerge to regulate each topic.
In wikis, individuals create something together that none of the individuals could have made alone.
This slide is by Tasha Bock with credit to James H Fowler & Nicholas A. Christakis the authors of Connected.
Wiki
What is it?• A wiki, just like the most
famous one, wikipedia, lets multiple users edit the same web page or content. They are ideal for internal collaboration.
Good HR Comm uses• Sharing tips for using your fitness
incentive or posting favorite yoga studios or personal trainers near your offices (let your employees contribute to your health and wellness goals!)
• Letting a manager and employee co-write performance goals and maintain progress records throughout the year
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
Podcasts and Videocasts
What is it?• Online downloadable audio
and video clips. Play them on your computer or drop them on your iPod to take home with you.
Good HR Comm uses• Post a short video of CEO or leadership speaking
about a new program • Create a recruitment video• Quick monthly updates from leadership (cover
business results, comp and bonuses, upcoming performance reviews)
• Create podcasts of enrollment meetings or new hire orientation (especially helpful for remote employees who may not have the opportunity to attend an in-person meeting)
• 401(k) basics podcast series to get the basics of your plan (even better if you team it with an online forum for when employees have questions!)
• Create a contest for the best 2 minute video about a key topic—health care, wellness, 401(k) investing—hearing the message from other employees will encourage yours to act
This slide is attributed to Jennifer Benz and Jessica Lee.
You must meet high standards
Four critical questions
1. What are your objectives?2. Who are your employees and what sites are they
already using?3. What is a wise use of investment dollars? What will
have long-term ROI?4. What is efficient to monitor & maintain?
• Don’t block employee access to tools at work
Tips
• Check people out online before you meet them.
• What do people see when they Google you? Build your own brand.
Tips
• Think of comments you receive like publicity (any publicity is good publicity)
• Let go of control. Think in terms of influencing and leading.
• Remember who signs your paycheck
Tips
• Don’t worry about your popularity – number of connections and number of followers.
• After you connect with someone online, look for an opportunity to meet in person. (e.g., attend a Tweetup or just meet for coffee)
Tips
If You’re Just Getting Started
• Join LinkedIn and create a profile then connect with past business connections.
• Search for information on Twitter. Type in your organizations name, a topic, or try a hashtag like #shrm or #awe10. Sign-up and start following some people.
• Pick a couple of blogs to follow.
If You’re Just Getting Started
• Lurk. You can just read for awhile before you comment.
• When you’re ready, join or start a conversation.
• Share your knowledge and build your own brand.
People to Follow on Twitter Thought Provoking Blogs & Niche Networks
http://www.corporatewellnessinsights.com/ - Fiona Gathright from Corporate Wellness Insights.
http://www.benzcommunications.com/blog - Jennifer Benz from Benz Communications in San Francisco.
http://www.freerangecomm.com/ - Fran Melmed from free-range communication.
http://www.mizzinformation.com/ - Maggie McGary, ASHA’s social media person.
http://www.employeewellnessnetwork.com- niche networking site started by Bob Merberg
http://cohealth.ning.com/ - niche network of people interested in the connection between employee health and business results
People to Follow on Twitter Thought Provoking Blogs
http://rehaul.com/ - Lance Haun’s from ERE Media
http://www.fistfuloftalent.com/ - Tim Sackett writes for Fistful of Talent
Contacting MeJanet G. McNichol, SPHR, CAE
Human Resources Director American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association 2200 Research Boulevard #235
Rockville, MD 20850-3289
Direct Line: 301-296-5714 [email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcnichol Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jmcnicholRead my blog: http://www.insideworkplacewellness.blogspot.comLike the ASHA Wellness Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ashawellness