Points to consider when deploying microblogging in the work place.

Now this is a very good question I would like to reference the following article from Linked In:

The top 5 corporate Twitter disasters in 2012 [http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20121120210129-2967511-the-top-5-corporate-twitter-disasters-of-2012]

This article points out that:

1. The corporate twitter account needs to be secured so that only authorized tweets can be sent out. Thus avoiding the accidental posting of embarrassing comments meant only for consumption on private accounts.

2. Once a tweet is posted is it generally out there for all to see. This is your public profile take care of it an nurture it so that you reap the benefits.

3. Using microblogging or any social tool requires common sense. Don't joke about death, disasters, cultural taboos and include racist one liners or images.

4. Don't tweet confidential material - you could get fired and sued.

5. Have a line of authority to vet tweets before they are published on your corporate profile.

Having considered what can go wrong let's look at what can happen when microblogging is used in the right way.

As Grenfell [2011] writes in her article micro blogging can increase the sense of staff belonging to an organization, break down information silos  and hierarchial structures in the workplace.

Things to consider when introducing micro-blogging in a workplace:

1. There must be by-in from top management so others in the organization will follow.

2. A clear strategy is required and must be connected organizational goals.
 
3. Training is required for all staff members to understand how to use micro-blogging effectively without making the mistakes as mentioned above.

4. Have realistic expectations about how the organization will benefit from micro-blogging.

5. Any micro-blogging set up will need community monitors to keep management tuned in to issues and trends. These monitors set the tone of the community and enforce social workplace norms.

6. The organization needs to have formal policies in place to explain expected behaviour standards when using micro-blogging technology in the work place and for outside marketing purposes.

7. Any IT system requires administration and support and a internal micro-blogging site is no different.

8. To increase the value of the micro-blogging and it's uptake identify thought leaders and invite them to introduce micro-blogging to their spheres of influence and the benefits of using the technology to their colleagues.

9. Run mini training sessions in the organization so that staff have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how the new tool works.

Clearly micro-blogging has benefits over email and can enhance communication internally and externally for an organization. Setting up a micro-blogging community needs top down support as well as mentors in the organization for it to gain acceptance. Also as with any IT product there is a need for on going support  and administration. The community using it needs to be clear policies of use and community monitors to enforce these policies and report trends and issues that needs to be addressed by the company executive.

References:

Grenfell, C. [2011] Deploying micro-blogging in organizations. Retrieved from:
http://www.steptwo.com.au/papers/kmc_microblogging/index.html

Holmes, R. [2012] The top 5 Twitter mistakes of 2012. Retrieved from: www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20121120210129-2967511-the-top-5-corporate-twitter-disasters-of-2012