Social Media Policy or Guidelines?

Does your company have an internet, or social media policy/guideline/code of conduct?

If it doesn't have one of these, grab some typewriter ribbon and get cracking!

Personally, I think online social networks are modern coffee & newspaper breaks; people used to take time and relax from work for a few minutes by grabbing a paper, some coffee, maybe even have a smoke - all in the convenience of their office!

Now, the reality is that alot of people spend time surfing the net or seeing what's happening on Twitter & Facebook ; through the companies computer or personal devices.

Good or bad, a policy should be written around this.  I was recently made aware of a site that can create this for you, for free, called PolicyTool.

It was developed by a group of Lawyers in Canada, so should be legally sound and save you time.

Check it out and let me know your thoughts!

~Ian 

Personal Branding

As information flows more freely, the easier it is for you to access information on companies, products, services, vacation destinations, and everything in between; but what about you?

Yes - People can find out pretty much whatever they want about you, especially if you are on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIN, or have a blog of some kind.

So What?

So why not use this to your advantage? Start by Googling your name - what do you find?

Whatever you have found, a potential employer could have found as well. So from here, you have to think "when my name gets Googled, what do I want people to find?"

When consdiering this, think about the type of job you would like to have in 1-2years (maybe sooner). Start getting your name out there in the right places.

If you want to be seen as knowledgable in business topics, start commenting on posts/articles from the Economist on Twitter.

If you want to be seen as a fashion expert - maybe start your own blog on latest trends.

The point is, create depth to your 'brand' by pursuing different avenues that will allow others to see you as a subject matter expert.

A great book I recently read on this was Six pixels of seperation by Mitch Joel.

Joel goes into great detail discussing how people can build their online profile and ultimately enhance their exposure through various online mediums.

Have you taken steps to increasing your personal brand? What have you done? What would you suggest to others?

~Ian