HR and Our Social Media Due Diligence

Last week, I attended the Oklahoma State Human Resource Conference as an attendee and speaker. My topic of choice was Social Media and how it can be successfully leveraged as a business, as well as for recruiting, and also a marketing tool. By more than a handful of human resource professionals, I was dubbed "the Twitter Girl," a more than all too familiar name I've been called.

During the conference I engaged in a number of conversations surrounding the use, success, understanding and safety surrounding Social Media. I received more than a few open mouthed stares, comments, and questions like-

• How can I use this tool called Tweeter?
• I really don't have time to spend hours on FaceBook. How is this beneficial?
• Can someone gain access to my all my personal information and find my home address on MySpace?
• I'm over 30. I don't do Twitter.
• This sounds like something for marketing. Can I have them contact you for questions?

What really hit home for me at the conference was that I was the lone human resource blogger of the more than 400 attendees at the State HR Conference and that my beliefs and acceptance of Social Media as a way to engage and develop relationships with employees, candidates, and customers are a very new and foreign idea to those within the Human Resource Industry.

How can the 17 million unique users who logged onto Twitter in April be wrong or the 3.37 million mentions Starbucks had on Twitter in a three day period be something that can be casually overlooked? Social Media is a free resource in which businesses and human resource professionals can use to build relationships and develop a brand, realistically cut their advertising and recruiting expenses between 20-50%. And most businesses I have spoken within the past six months, are always interested in cutting overhead and expenses.

I urge all human resource professionals to get out there and do your due diligence and bring an open minded attitude when considering Online Social Media Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others. Isn't it our responsibility as progressive HR professionals who desire the coveted seat at the table to take advantage of learning about new resources and opportunities and these sharing with our business leaders as a way to further strengthen our business and also gain crediability?

How amazing would it be to flex your strategic business muscles by benefiting your company's bottom line in a way other than outsourcing payroll, suspending your 401(k), or exit interview process? How's that for job security?

Tweet This! Powerpoint

Take a look at my discussing tips and recommendations for businesses interested in using Twitter as a business tool. I presented this powerpoint to HR Professionals during the Oklahoma State Human Resource Conference held in Oklahoma City, OK May 31st-June 2nd, 2009

Tweet This! Twitter for Business

View more OpenOffice presentations from Jessica Miller-merrell, sphr.

Tweet This! Twitter for Business Seminar

Two hour interactive course that teaches Tweeps how to navigate Twitter for the business professional.

Thursday, May 28 from 3-5 pm

Boldt Construction
101 W. Hefner Rd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73114

Pre-registration is $50 via Paypal or $60 paid at the door.

Register here or at www.tweetthis.eventbrite.com

Contact Jessica Miller-Merrell
Jessica@xceptionalhr.com or 405.343.5751

Baby Ryleigh & OKC Tweetup

Check out my daughter, Ryleigh, the newest youtube sensation! She is promoting the OKC Tweetup. Visit www.okctweetup to learn more. Don't forget to leave a comment and show my Ryleigh some LOVE!

6 Interesting & Obscure iPhone Apps for the Job Search

The future of communication is with mobile technology, and iPhones are no exception. Below are some interesting iPhone apps that can be used in an interesting and usual way while in the job search.

1. LinkedIn. Access connections, view your profile and immediately invite others allowing you to networking anytime and anywhere with just the touch of a button. Be sure to update your profile and keep others in the know.

2. Jobcompass. This application allows you to access online job postings anytime and anywhere. Use the keyword search function and sort by distance from your location. View job descriptions and email job details with ease.

3. PublicSpeech. This application is a great tool that allows you to record and save your speeches. I recommend using this app to perfect your elevator pitch and to record and analyze your responses to interview questions.

4. MyCard Free. Don’t commit the cardinal sin of networking. Never been without a business card with MyCard Free. Exchange electronic business cards with MyCard Free application. Send a card or exchange with other iPhone app users.

5. Action Word Lite. This application provides impactful auction words sorted by category and its usage in sentence form. This application is great and very useful for quickly updating resume, cover letters, or as part of interview preparation in a pinch.

6. Twitter Summarizer. Easily keyword search Twitter without a user account to view trends and keyword topics. This application is useful in the job hunt for sorting newly listed job openings and positions that allow you to sort by city or zip code. This app also allows you to stay up to date with trending topics.

Twitter Communication for Termainations

If you have ever heard me speak about Twitter, you know I am passionate about this social media platform and its possibilities. I am also an advocate of Twitter's use as a form of internal company communication as well as company branding and marketing possibilities. However, there are a handful of instances and examples that force me to draw the line especially when used in the Human Resource industry.

• Terminations. An employee of the Doner Advertising Agency learned via Twitter from @thefounder that his company was laying off employees prior to any notification being made to employees. Examples like this will continue to be the norm as Twitter and 3G phones and technology continues to grow. I only hope that companies learn to plan appropriately when communicating a downsizing or layoff to their employees via internal memo or other company communication as soon as possible.
  
• Job Offers. Twitter user @tomraftery received a job offer via Twitter from @redmonk. Interestingly enough @tomraftery accepted and is current working from them as a Technology Analyst in Spain. Certainly, many of 6 million plus that are currently unemployed would be more than thrilled to receive a job offer. Twitter as a means to communicate this message is unprofessional and a slap in the face. A new employee deserves to be communicated and welcomed in more than 140 characters.
  
• Job Interview. On March 17th, Twitter user and ABC journalist @GStephanopoulos (George Stephanopoulos) and @JohnMcCain (Senator John McCain). While the back and forth banter was very entertaining, I do not see a future in this form of communication if being used in the job interview and hiring process.
  

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are here to stay. Companies need to consider these mediums and use them appropriately in a business and human resource setting.

*Special thanks to www.mashable.com and Tribble Ad Agency.

Twitter Basics for Business

Below is a slideshow presentation I will be giving later this week sponsored by the South Oklahoma City Chamber. Please take a look and leave me your comments or contact me directly at jessica@xceptionalhr.com for questions.

Enjoy!~Jessica

Twitter 101 for Business

View more presentations from Jessica Miller-merrell, sphr.

Connect with Social Media Connect

Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet to drive traffic to your web site, but companies like Connect Social Media (www.connectsocialmedia.com) can help. Jim Quillen, owner of Connect Social Media assists companies with special social media projects like increasing web traffic through the utilization of free social media platforms, increasing your google rankings, and search engine optimization strategies. He also provides online workshops and training for businesses who are looking to streamline their online brand.

Jim who calls Oklahoma home aims to help businesses take the social media plunge. He says that interest in social media has increased over the last several months as the economic downturn has brought an increase in business.

Jim's easy to read website and blog includes valuable information and insights discussing a variety of social media topics in real time. His most recent post discusses Twitter and their use of new advertisements and how they will impact applications and Twitter's simple format. Other posts discuss the race for social media supremacy.