As a business owner, you
simply cannot continue to survive in this age of information without at least
becoming a bit techno-savvy. That does not mean that you have to spend your
spare time tweeting, or responding to blog posts. However, it does mean that,
at the very least, you should have a solid understanding of the implications of
social media and its effects on your business. Are you prepared to handle IT
concerns that might arise from employee termination? For Example: You
fire or layoff an employee. What happens next? Does he destroy your social
media presence; on your account or his own; or do you block him? Do you even know? Read on
to learn more:
Employee termination and social media.
A recent occurrence on
Twitter turned a spotlight onto this immediate danger that could very well
become commonplace for businesses that do not take measures to protect
themselves. It involved HMV, a popular UK music products distributor that has
been going under financially for some time. Apparently, a group of workers from
the HMV human resources department, disgruntled at the knowledge of their
layoff, hijacked HMV's twitter account and tweeted blow-by-blow details of the
mass firing of 60 people. The tweets were negative - definitely not
complimentary of HMV - and quite possibly on the final nails in the looming HMV
coffin.
What this means to your business.
Quite simply, a considerable
chunk of your business reputation is formed by the virtual world. The things
other people say and share about your business can cause a ripple effect of
damage. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you do everything within
your power to protect your online business reputation against those who may
likely be out to get it: those employees you had to terminate.
How you can prevent costly IT mishaps.
You can no longer afford to
keep social media in the back of your business mind. Any time one of your
decisions or dealings may affect your employees, you are vulnerable to a breach
of trust and a potentially damaging information leak via technology and social
media. In order to protect yourself, you need to require that your employees
sign an employee agreement that clearly states your social media privacy
policies. Also, you should have a procedure in place to block employee access
to your business social media accounts and/or reset the passwords immediately
preceding your decision to terminate an employee that has access to that delicate
information.
Whether
you know it (or like it) or not, social media presents a clear and present
danger to your business. Protect your online reputation by addressing these IT
concerns, before it is too late and unhappy ex-employees have the opportunity
to put your business' private matters on the social media parade.
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