Social-Networking Sites Boost Job Productivity

You look at your watch: It's been precisely 15 minutes since you updated your Facebook page. And, unfortunately, your last status update -"Working on my TPS reports!" - still rings true. If you're like most social-networking aficionados, you occasionally check your page at the office. (Full disclosure: I've been known to peruse Facebook and Twitter when I need the occasional breather from work.) But, if you've ever questioned whether this Internet indulgence kills your productivity, then think again. According to a new Microsoft® study, social-networking sites may actually boost your job efficiency.

Face(book) the Facts

Examining the online habits of oil and gas professionals, Microsoft Corp. and their partner, Accenture, found that many workers believe that social-networking tools could enhance their job performance. In fact, 40 percent of survey respondents said that organizations could reap tremendous benefits if they promoted information-sharing through social networking. Why? Well, thanks to Facebook's minute-by-minute status updates and "fan" pages, these workers can connect with other professionals in their field and bounce ideas off one another. However, you don't have to work in the petroleum industry to benefit from this Web wonder.

Accenture's Middle East Managing Executive, Omar Boulos, for one, believes that the possibilities of social networking are endless. "Companies are dealing with several trends right now, not only the aging workforce walking out the door with decades of knowledge, but also experienced hires coming into their businesses who need to understand a new corporate culture," he says. "[They] have an opportunity to supplement their existing collaboration capabilities with newer tools, such as podcasts and social networks, to accelerate the sharing of knowledge, increase teaming, and augment communication between their workforces in different regions."

Still, only 37 percent of those surveyed believe that their companies would actually be insightful enough to encourage them to utilize social networking. The main reason? Many organizations hold an "old-school" view of these sites and consider them workplace distractions, rather than extremely beneficial resources. What's more, some companies have even gone so far as to ban social-networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, from the office. Unfortunately, what they fail to realize is that these restrictive measures may actually be to their detriment.

Case in point: About a year ago, I was writing an article and couldn't decide what to call it. After going back and forth with headlines for about an hour, I took my quandary to the masses: Facebook. Within about five minutes of disclosing my dilemma, I had an abundance of suggestions. Although some were admittedly better than others, I found four or five titles that were actually quite fitting. Problem solved, Facebook-style.

Up for Discussion

Do you have a Facebook, MySpace or Twitter account? If so, would you ever employ social networking for professional purposes, such as information-sharing?

Also, if you're looking to build your online network, be sure to get social with OfficeArrow. So, what are you waiting for? Explore the wonders of social networking and watch your productivity levels soar!