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Bridges is a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel, Executive and Career Coach & Human Resource Consultant. My goal is that these newsletters include practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you found the newsletter helpful, please Send it to your colleagues, friends and family.www.coachrobinfogel.com - robin@coachrobinfogel.com - 609-730-4164 For those who ask me what it is that I do, I offer Executive Coaching and Human Resource consulting in the following areas: - Business Consulting and Executive Coaching - As an unbiased resource provide advice on business development and business transition, on staffing issues, on developing emerging talent and helping managers sharpen their communication and management skills. - Career Coaching helping people advance their careers, make career changes and/or career transitions. - Not for Profit Consulting - provide Executive Directors with independent sounding board, consulting on staff issues, board relations and staff development. If you would like to take advantage of an executive coach, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com.
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October 2009
SOCIAL MEDIA - part one
I have the pleasure of writing a column for the APIW
(Association of Professional Insurance Women) and was
asked recently to write on the topic of social media, such as LinkedIn and
Twitter. Since writing that article early in the summer, it seems a day doesn’t
pass when I don’t see mention of using social media for business. Some articles
are aimed at people in career change who are being advised to use LinkedIn as a
way to network or find their next job. There are articles that suggest
businesses set up blogs. I have seen
others that mention programs offered by local Chambers of Commerce, programs to
teach companies how to get the word out about their businesses or communicate
with their clients by using the new media. Through it all the underlying
questions I have been asked are – should I be using these new media and if so
what are the “rules”?
The first answer is yes, you should be using these new forms
of communication. They are becoming a key way for business people to communicate.
That being said it is important to be selective. While I have a number of
clients, especially realtors, who use Facebook in a business setting, I believe
it is important to separate your business life from your personal life.
Facebook should be used to keep in touch with friends and family, not business
acquaintances. There is too high a likelihood that you could end up being
connected, even inadvertently with something unflattering, perhaps a picture
that someone else posted. Ask anyone who has a teenagers or a young adult in
their early twenties how that happens!
I continue to believe that LinkedIn is a great resource, a
way to connect and network with business associates. I have clients who are
looking for their next career move and regularly use LinkedIn. Some are finding
out about job opportunities because recruiters are now posting positions, some
because their contacts forward information about opportunities at their
companies. Others, knowing that a company had an opportunity, have used LinkedIn
to connect with someone at that company, perhaps a former coworker. They have
asked if they would be willing to forward their resume to the hiring manager.
When you sign up for LinkedIn, be sure to join some of the groups – alumni of
your college, former employees of companies, interest groups. It’s one other
way of expanding your network.
One underrated use of these types of new media is to
understand what a great resource they can be. For example, if you need
information for a project you are working on, or are doing research on how to
get new business; you now have another tool to use. At the same time it is critical
to remember that communication is two way. If someone is looking for
information or hoping to make a contact, they are more likely to help you if
you are willing to help them.
Next month I’ll focus on how you manage the new social media
so it doesn’t take over your life.
INTERESTING ASIDE
Colleagues and friends know that I’m a huge dog fan. I have always had dogs and in the past I have done pet rescue. So I was not at all surprised by a recent NY Times article, “Exploring the Health Benefits of Pets”. It mentioned a number of studies underway that are exploring the interaction between humans and animals. The article quotes Karin Winegar who has written a book about rescue dogs. She said “We’ve seen this …whether it’s disabled children in a riding center or at a nursing home, where a woman with Alzheimer’s could not recognize her husband but she could recognize her beloved dog. So if you have had a challenging work day, be sure to hug your dog when you get home or play with your cat. It is good for your health.
FINAL THOUGHT
The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people. – Theodore Roosevelt
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