Across the world, workers in many firms have started using social networks to transform their internal communications. Now, tapping into this, Facebook has created Facebook at Work. Much like the original Facebook, which was open only to university students, this new version will allow businesses to create their own social networks among employees.
This isn’t the first of its kind, but it could lead to a wider uptake of social networks within companies. Central to existing platforms such as Yammer and Slack is that they have the hallmarks of what made Facebook successful as a social networking site – the ability to connect with colleagues and develop a network, to share information that encourages debate, and to collaborate with colleagues in special-interest, project or private groups. They are particularly attractive to younger members of the workforce who are wedded to social networking sites when it comes to their lives outside of work.
This can encourage the kind of personal interactions that are natural to those who use social media, leading to a sense of connectedness between colleagues that spans geographical locations and time-zones. Some evidence suggests that, in this way, the associations between employee and employer are enhanced.
Risks and Benefits
Enterprise social networks have the ability to offer an informal layer to formal communication. Personal requests for information or experience from colleagues through a social network can be particularly useful in encouraging the sharing of knowledge.
The informal nature of the communication in these networks can encourage discussion that would be discouraged in email. Direct connection between colleagues – irrespective of their hierarchical position – means that workers feel empowered to safely raise questions directly with a CEO. This can compress communication channels and help decision making.
However, there are clearly some risks. Not all CEOs welcome being challenged and others may not be happy to be questioned publicly. The ability to hide behind a keyboard can encourage people to say things they wouldn’t repeat in real life – this could potentially be career-threatening when visible to the entire firm.
