Is it Time for a Rypple in your Pond?

Earlier this week I attended a training presentation from a colleague in our New Media department. After the session, he mentioned to me that he would be using a new social media tool called Rypple to get feedback on his presentation.  I wasn’t sure what to expect but thought it was a cool idea.  A couple hours later, I got an e-mail from him via Rypple asking me how I thought it went. Glad to provide my response and intrigued I went online to check it out…

Despite not wanting to register for another social media site, what caught my attention was the line, “High performers ask for feedback.” How true! Instantly, I was hooked. After providing my colleague with feedback, I quickly registered for an account and immediately asked my team what they thought of my weekly team meetings to date. What they liked, disliked, and what they would add or change.  Within an hour I had already received a few responses!

I really liked using this method because rather than asking people face to face, it gave them time to reflect before replying and allowed them to be more honest with their feedback.  What a fantastic way to get candid opinions!

So far I have only been a member for 11 hours and counting, but I was inspired to tell you because it reminded me how essential it is to ask others how you are doing in order to continually improve your performance.

Think it might be time for a Rypple in your pond?  Ask.

- Aleya Suleman

Social Media and Social Class in Organizations

With the multitude of varying definitions of social class, I want to start by summing it up to the simplest and most relevant definition for my post.  Social classes are the hierarchical arrangements of people in society into groups.  Social stratification is defined by unequal access to desirable resources.

Based on this simple definition, it is clear that organizations have a social class system which is arranged hierarchically into groups such as senior managers, middle managers, first line managers and regular staff.  As you move up the hierarchy, decision making abilities and access to desirable resources increase. These desirable resources in relation to career development are exposure, information sharing and connections to the right people.

In the past, these resources were not accessible to all employees which was a significant barrier that made advancement within an organization challenging.  With the rise of social media, exposure, access to information and good networks are no longer luxuries that are exclusive to the “upper class” in organizations.

Today, any employee now has access to online social media resources such as Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and several other communities that can be used to communicate thoughts and ideas increasing exposure, gain knowledge of an industry, competition, trends etc. and network with the right people.

Social media is helping to level the playing field and creates more opportunity for advancement in organizational social class.  Are you leveraging your social media resources for your career development?

- Aleya Suleman

Is Your Employee a TwitFace?

As consumer buying behaviors change and customer rely more heavily on their social networks before making a purchase decision, it’s critical that company policies also change in order for the organization to keep up. Businesses today need to evolve by embracing new media and developing a new kind of employee.

Progressive companies are no longer blocking social media sites like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, but rather promoting their use and encouraging employees to navigate these communities and leverage their knowledge of the media and it’s users.  Active participation will allow employees to be informed, proactive and flexible.

In my opinion, a socially savvy workforce can create a true competitive advantage in today’s marketplace.

So next time you say to your employee, “YouTwitFace”! It’s a compliment!

- Aleya Suleman

Where is Your Finger?

As I delve further into this world of social media, I can’t help but think how so many businesses are out of touch. They just don’t have their finger on the pulse!

So where are their fingers anyway? Seems all too many have their thumbs (in this case), up their you know what and are just not doing anything to figure it out.  Others have their fingers up their nose, staring into space waiting for someone to tell them what to do.  There are a few with their fingers on the pulse, sort of aware of what is going on and trying what they can to keep up…but these days, that’s just not enough! So where’s the right place for your finger?  I think probably sticking right up at your competition while you blow by them at full speed.

In today’s world it’s the businesses that are willing to take risks and lead the way with innovative strategies that are going to build the brands of the future. The ones that are not worried about what the competition is doing, but what the consumer is doing.

So, where is your finger?

- Aleya Suleman

The Inspiration for My Blog…

Recently I have been using Twitter, and very quickly I became addicted! Today I was home sick and spent the whole day on Twitter! After several hours I realized I had a lot more to say than 140 characters would allow. It really inspired me to start my own blog so I could share my own full thoughts on the cool things that are happening out there in the world of new media.

Times are changing so fast and I think it’s important not just to keep up with things, but to participate. Since i’m not the type to sit on the sidelines and I really believe in the saying “Go Big or Go Home”….here I am, starting this adventure!

- Aleya Suleman