To Block or Not To Block...That is the Question

TO BLOCK OR NOT TO BLOCK... THAT IS THE QUESTION

Roughly 31% of companies are blocking their employees from all social media outlets according to ragan.com. So, what are the Pros and Cons in blocking social media for the day-to-day operations of a business? There are many ways to use social media to your advantage, but it can also be a distraction to employees on the job. Let's check out both sides of the argument!

Pros of Blocking Social Media Sites

• Blocking social media sites allows a company to have one streaming idea or vision portrayed to your target audience. Too many voices and company profiles can create a loss of Brand and Professionalism. It may confuse potential customers. By preventing employees from accessing social networks from their desks, the employer keeps them from easily speaking for the company.

• Depending on the industries in which companies work, social media sites can be detrimental to both parties. Employees that are not trained to handle social media carefully may unintentionally release information by comments or remarks on their social media site of choice without realizing the potential effects. Keeping employees off these and other social media sites is the best way to limit this disclosure of information.

Cons of Blocking Social Media Sites

• Loyal customers are few and far between. Taking their social media voice away puts a stop to these customers' online networking, promotion and lead generation. Social media sites are just a few ways that loyal customers can voice their opinions and have others really take consider what is being said about your product or service.

• All social media sites can be a benefit to the business world. For example, Twitter can boost your public relations with potential media placements and keep a constant flow of information between a company and it's clients, LinkedIn questions can generate lead opportunities for your sales staff, and Facebook allows for communicating information about your company, post presentations and can even help fill a job opening.
  

Questions you need to ask and analyze on the basis of your business values are: What can we gain from social media? How can we use it efficiently and effectively? And how much time do we have to put toward social sites? So, to block or not to block...that is the question.

BE FOUND. BE CHOSEN.