Getting More Social

Use of social media, particularly in employee communication, is likely to increase next year, according to a recent PollStream poll of professional communicators most of whom are in the southern U.S. More than half want to leverage online social media in their employee communication efforts.

Even though there are naysayers in the C-suite, it's not surprising that corporate communicators want to use social media as an effective way of engaging employees. Social media is relatively new, its personal and widely accepted-particularly among younger employees.

Over the years, employee communicators have struggled to find the most effective mediums through which to truly engage employees. Feedback programs, Q&As with top management, lunch with the boss  and  town halls are some of mechanisms that come to mind. These techniques never really worked long term because there was a certain phoniness about them. Social media truly score because of honesty, immediacy and personal touch.

Positive changes are in our communication futures as employees begin to find their true voice.