Companies today are continually searching for inexpensive ways to streamline business and production. Successful internal corporate communications and delivery of information in a cost-effective manner are essential to the operation of any business. Advances in technology and software programs have created the ideal platform to enhance work-related communications between co-workers.
Social software has a place at ABC Company. As we know from internal company surveys - and meetings amongst our managements teams - an overwhelming majority of employees (83%) are open to the idea of social software in the workplace. Also, as we can see from our survey results, a majority of employees (67%) utilize social software programs at home and/or are familiar with them through family and friends.
ABC Company has always been a forward-thinking company. The introduction of social software in the office will continue the image of ABC Company as a business that stays on top of current technology and trends. As we look toward 2010 when, as our CEO M. B. Adams pointed out in our last company-wide meeting, we will be looking to add about 40 entry-level candidates to the company. As we integrate social software into daily company functions, we can use this to demonstrate to candidates and recruits that ABC Company is a progressive one with a commitment to fostering growth.
Sadly, it seems many employees do not know the Corporate Librarian. Our survey results revealed some disappointing facts for the Corporate Librarian including: a clear minority (21%) of employees have utilized the services of the Corporate Librarian and only about a third (34%) reported they know what s/he can do.
The Corporate Librarian's blog - appropriately titled Connect with the Corporate Librarian - will establish a place where employees can, in fact, connect with the librarian.
First and foremost, the blog will publish content written by the librarian regarding contact information and a general overview of what services the librarian can provide. In essence, the blog will provide an explanation of exactly what types of assistance the Corporate Librarian can provide to employees. Furthermore, each week the librarian will publish blog posts demonstrating how to use a basic search technique or a free web resource. It can also be used to highlight pre-recorded messages from management, the Executive Board or our CEO. The blog will specifically attempt to showcase resources and websites/links that the librarian has vetted and approved for employee use.
As is the inherent design of a blog, users will have certain pre-determined restrictions on adding to the blog. Only the Corporate Librarian (and other appropriate mangers and staff members) will be able to publish content. Employees, however, will be able to leave comments on each blog post that the librarian and other users will be able to view. Employees are also free to e-mail the librarian with any relevant questions or comments about the material on the blog.
The purpose of this blog is for the Corporate Librarian to be able to market the skills and services s/he can offer. The blog is intended to be a corporate communication vehicle and not a collaborative project. Although they can contribute by posting comments, employees would not have access to alter the actual content of the blog.
In short, the creation of this blog will facilitate more frequent and more productive interactions between employee and librarian.
It is hoped employees will provide routine feedback to the Corporate Librarian via the blog, e-mail or meetings. The Corporate Librarian is always open to ideas and suggestions from employees as to how to make the blog, or any future projects, more useful to employees. Two future surveys - one six months after the blog is introduced and a second one six months after that – are planned in order to evaluate employee response to the blog.