I definitely think, depending on what industy you are in and how you use your social media, IM, and website, definitely translate into whether or not social media and Web 2.0 integration will help your business or individual visibility.

“So how can I use my social media profiles to help my business?” you may ask. Well, I’m going to tell you:

• Keep them updated. Chances are, if a potential (or current) customer has added you to their social media networks, then they want to stay updated. Post new products, promotions, or news to keep customers intriged.
• Reach out. Adding potential and current customers as “friends” on Facebook or following them on Twitter.
• Make your profiles visible. To create a free page with all your profiles listed, you can use Extendr (to see how it looks, here is my personal extendr profile). You can also use free eye-catching social media graphics on your home page, like the variety found on MySocialButtons, or by searching ‘social media buttons’ or ‘social media icons’ on your favorite search engine.
• Make your content easy to share. Use the AddThis widget to end all of your blog posts (free, as used on this blog) to make it easy for others to share your content.
• Fill IM profiles with links. If you use a secure IM client (or even a free client) to chat with clients or employees, add a few social media profile links to drive traffic.

Make sure that a set of through guideline plans are set up before the IM programs are even installed on everyone’s computers. This not only ensures a lesser chance of confusion, but also helps narrow the focus of what the IM program is going to be used for.

The website IT Business Edge has set up a little pack of information about IM Security Policy for your company that can be downloaded free of charge here. To read the accompanying article that was written on April 27, 2009, please click here. Some of the items that are included in the ZIP file include an intro page, cover sheet and terms, and the IM security policy. 

After the IM security policy is created, it might be best to hold a company meeting to explain the guidelines and the basic principles of the program. If that’s not an option, a company-wide e-mail or memo is probably the next best option.

Improving your communication skills will enable you to establish better working relationships. Poor workplace communication skills will have negative effects on your business relationships and may result in decreased productivity. These 7 keys will help you unlock the door to successful communication not only at work, but also in all your relationships.

1. Personal contact is important. People relate to one another better when they can meet in person and read each other’s body language, so they can feel the energy the connection creates. If personal contact is not possible, the next best way to connect is by talking on the telephone.
2. Develop a network. No one achieves success alone. Make an effort to become friends with people in different departments within your company, meet new people in your community, and look for experiences or interests you have in common.
3. Always be courteous in your communications with others. Courtesy lets people know that you care. The words “Thank You” show that you appreciate a person’s efforts. Try saying, “would you please…” instead of just, “Please…” You will sound less dogmatic.
4. Be consistent and clear in your workplace communications. Consistency builds trust. Asking, “Did I explain this clearly?” will assure that people understood what you said.
5. Compromise decreases the tension associated with conflict. Ask, “What is best for the company?” so that co-workers will not take the conflict personally.
6. You cannot hold a person’s interest if you have nothing interesting to say. Here are some of ways you can learn to be an interesting communicator. Read your hometown paper daily. Read industry literature so you can know what is going on in your industry. Rehearse telling a few short personal stories about your interesting experiences.
7. Listen to what others are saying and show interest in the conversation. Listening demonstrates respect and admiration. Make your conversation like a game of tennis and keep the ball going back and forth

As you can see, all of these tips can also be followed not only in person, but also while using instant messaging. Remember to get to the point, always be polite and clear, and be sure to listen (or read, in IM’s case) to what your co-worker or IM partner has to say. These are quite tips and should be remembered not matter how you are communicating in the workplace and beyond.

Because instant messaging has evolved so much in the past 20-30 years, one has to ask- where can it go next?

Well, that answer is easy. With internet communication comes a whole new flock of viruses, corrupt file transfers, and strangers sending you and your employees instant messages with links that take you to sites that host malware or worse. Basic instant messaging just isn’t going to cut it anymore, especially in the corporate world. This is where hosted and enterprise instant messaging comes in. A secure encrypted network (like the ones remotely hosted by Brosix) is the next logical step to secure all communication that is sent electronically, even though it is through instant messaging. 

It’s a sad fast that no internet communication is safe from hackers or others trying to corrupt your systems, computers, and networks, but developers are stepping up the plate to provide alternatives that will make companies and organizations feel more comfortable with their employees using instant messaging.