POLL: Could Facebook breaks benefit your business?
FACEBOOK can be a boon and not a burden to business - that's the message from Merseyside users of the popular website after employers were told that social networking breaks could help improve staff performance.
And LDP Creative is offering you the chance to have your say by taking part in our poll below.
LDP Business this week reported on how employers are considering imposing "Facebook breaks" to avoid the craze for online networking affecting productivity.
Employment lawyers say businesses are looking at measures to curtail the use of social networking websites in the workplace by limiting the time staff can spend on such sites, similar to breaks companies allow smokers.
Giles Ridgeway, a consultant with employment lawyers Employment Law Advisory Services, told LDP Business that his firm had been inundated by employers seeking ways to contain the problem.
He said: "Some have said it appears to be a habit similar to smokers needing their fix of nicotine. Hence the idea of allowing employees as much time to log on as their colleagues get to have a cigarette."
The Daily Post asked people for their thoughts via Facebook and microblogging site Twitter - and those who responded said they believed social networking sites could help companies win new business.
Gavin Sherratt of Liverpool agency It's About Websites said: "We have an open policy on social networking as it strikes a good work / life balance between when we have to ask for those few extra hours or weekend working. Plus, we use Facebook to promote our brand and our services."
His colleague Craig Southern said: "We successfully use Facebook as a communication portal for our business.
"Some of our clients and business partners are quite happy to communicate via Facebook, and it's even gaining us new business."
Ian Denny of Plus 1 Networking said: "You can argue that it should go further than just breaks for those involved in business development.
"It actually builds relationships with people which turns into business."
So should employers give their staff Facebook breaks? Have your say below:
Older/Newer
« BLOG: Dougal Paver on creativity by committee | Northern Lights to help brightest new talent into the industry »
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: POLL: Could Facebook breaks benefit your business?.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.ldpcreative.co.uk/cgi-bin/mt421/mt-tb.cgi/150131
2 Comments
Leave a comment
Blog Authors
Alistair Houghton
LDP Business reporter Alistair Houghton brings you the latest news and views from the creative sector in Merseyside. Get in touch if you've got a story you want to tell
My postings
Our Sponsor
Facebook is now firmly sat in that grey area between personal and business. Should the two mix?
Lots of business contacts and subsequently business is generated through Facebook.
For many small businesses struggling with marketing expenditure, it's a great way of generating business and making connections.
Hi Alistair,
This is really a thought-provoking question and it actually reminded me of the "Happy Farm" (a Facebook game) craze in China and Taiwan last couple of months. Check out this news and you'll understand what I mean: http://en.kioskea.net/news/13950-taiwan-bans-civil-servants-web-games
I would say, having Facebook breaks is generally a good idea as human beings are not machines and need to have breaks from time to time, but it should never lead to a level of indulgence.
Hsiang-Yi Cheng
The Mikogo Team
Twitter: @Mikogo