Deb Lawrence shares her take on this social media tool
The use of
Facebook in the business world tends to cause several different types of reactions. Eye-rolling is very common with those who turn their noses up, and wonder why a rational human being would even consider using something like Facebook for business. I suspect that these folks have either never been on this website, or have perhaps only seen the movie, “
The Social Network.” This is how they have drawn their conclusions as to the usefulness of Facebook.
Personally I have used Facebook both socially and for business. Yes, I did consider whether I wanted to mesh my personal and business lives. But since I don’t have a secret, “double-life” on the wild side, I don’t really care, if my business associates know that I have a golden retriever, two cats, three kids and a
great husband.
What has fascinated me, is that in my industry of marketing /public relations, is the ability of Facebook to resurrect friendships and relationships, transcend relationships and solidify friendships on a deeper level. This applies to business as well as personal relationships.
Many people have said, that I’m a natural networker, and I say, I was networking without knowing what it was, or before it was popular. I enjoy people, and learning about people. I find people interesting. And that is what makes the world go around.
Facebook has become a tool to me in my career. It has helped me to network on a more personal level with many people in the business world. Specifically, I have had the ability to get to know various people who I never would have reached out to in the past. One example, is that when the Skokie Chamber of Commerce has needed a keynote speaker or an emcee for events, I reached out to business contacts through Facebook. Having been connected to various "friends", it was a natural extension of an online relationship. In seeking a win-win situation, I was able to communicate easily through Facebook and provide “details and event links” to the potential speakers. Entire programs were set up through Facebook.
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Deb Lawrence is the Business Employer Services & Community Relations for Illinois workNet Centers of Northern Cook County. She was recognized as the Skokie Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Volunteer of the Year.
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