Memo to the boss: Twitter’s not a time suck

Good reasons why corporations should embrace social networks in the workplace
By Mark Schmulen, CEO, NutshellMail

According to Robert Half Technology, a provider of IT professional services, 54% of U.S. corporations restrict employee access to social networks due to concerns about productivity, network security, and legal liabilities.

Sure these are serious concerns. But companies that block access to social networks are missing out on incredible opportunities to expand their marketing reach, and build customer and employee loyalty.

Social networks have changed the way we communicate, discover, collaborate and connect with friends and business contacts alike. However, for many companies the benefits of social networking are not so obvious.

Herewith are just a few reasons why companies may want to think twice before blocking employees from social networks:

Deeper insights into business contacts

Social networks can tell you a lot more about an individual than any business card or email signature. Anytime you plan to meet with a new business contact you should check out the person’s social networking profiles. A quick search on LinkedIn can provide you with a history of his or her professional experiences. Checking out the contact’s Twitter feed can tell you what she’s interested in, and a search on Facebook can highlight friends you share in common. At the end of the day, business relationships are still human relationships and the more information you know about someone can only help you forge more productive connections with people in and outside of your field.

Read the rest at Fortune Magazine