Posted by Dan Caruso
June 29, 2009
Comments are viewed by far less bearonbusiness readers than the posts themselves. With this in mind, I will focus this post on an important exchange between a reader named Scott and me.
My post from last Monday was Zayo Group Facebook Community. I asked for comments and here are excerpts from Scott’s:
Dan,
Instead of having facebook accounts, why not perform “real” social networking and have all Zayo employees engage in assisting Habitat for Humanity projects or other like minded “real” social networking causes.
I would have a very hard time working for a company that was mandating that I join facebook, twitter, linkedin, myspace or any other social networking club. I know you stated it was not forced, but I cannot fathom why it is so darn important or even relevant that an employee has to put ANY info on the grid, which is permanent , etc.
“Is the world better off because of Social Networking”
actually I have found that social networking has created a minority group of young people(18-28) that cannot present a verbal idea, give a verbal briefing, or interact maturely on a verbal interpersonal level period. Not to mention who cannot spell on emails, tune out the world due to their ipods and and fidget constantly when they are without any electronic, artificial stimulus.
There may be positives to social networking, but I find it to be a lazy replacement for getting out and actually physically networking and verbalizing ideas, thoughts, actions, etc.
Technology might have made our world easier, etc, but ti it has also made us dumber, less self reliant, and certainly have taught us there is no need for situational awareness in any realm of our lives.
Where do you stop, when do WE learn that not everything in your life has to be surrounded by technology?
I stay off the grid for a reason and that reason is a personal choice, because unlike others I do not feel like I need every facet of my life to be able to be called up with a set of keystrokes.
My comment back to Scott was as follows:
Scott, you are persuasive in your main point–though my opinions are vastly different than yours overall. At the end of the day, your perspective convinces me that you are right. Anything even remotely close to “strongly encouraging” is inappropriate until a social networking is more mainstream. My guess is a year or two from now, this will change. Now some specific responses:
I participated in building homes in Tijuana. It was a great experience and did result in a bonding between those who did the home building. In this regard, charity activities such as Habitat for Humanity could play a positive role in a company. However, this has little to do with the role Social Networking could play in helping employees get to know one another better. We have hundreds of employees in many states who interact together on business issues. Social networking would provide a platform for employees to share information with one another–but only info they are comfortable sharing. When the occasional opportunity presents itself for employees to meet in person, they are already more familiar with one another. I see this as a big positive.
Again, I agree with you major point. Mandating (or anything close) to participation would make some people uncomfortable.
You say “I cannot fathom why it is so darn important or even relevant that an employee has to put ANY info on the grid…”. Getting to know the people you work with is important. Social networking platforms provide a unique platform for facilitating this.
You ask “Is the world better off because of Social Networking?”. You then provide your answer: “actually I have found that social networking has created a minority group of young people(18-28) that cannot present a verbal idea, give a verbal briefing, or interact maturely on a verbal interpersonal level period. Not to mention who cannot spell on emails, tune out the world due to their ipods and and fidget constantly when they are without any electronic, artificial stimulus. There may be positives to social networking, but I find it to be a lazy replacement for getting out and actually physically networking and verbalizing ideas, thoughts, actions, etc”
Wasn’t the same said about TV? Cable TV? Mobile Phones? AOL? The Internet itself? My opinion is “yes, the world is a ton better”. And the next generation is going to accomplish things that we cannot even fathom.
You continued: “Technology might have made our world easier, etc, but ti it has also made us dumber, less self reliant, and certainly have taught us there is no need for situational awareness in any realm of our lives.” I disagree.
Later you added: “I stay off the grid for a reason and that reason is a personal choice, because unlike others I do not feel like I need every facet of my life to be able to be called up with a set of keystrokes.” I respect your choice.
Reaction?