by Colleen McCarty, VP Organization & Talent

What is your organization's policy toward Facebook, Twitter and other Social Media? Lately it seems I'm hearing more stories about Social Media mishaps: 

• A friend who works for a major rental car agency saw a video posted to Facebook by two employees left alone in the branch. The video clearly shows that they were in their place of business, goofing off and vocally wondering if their boss would see this (yes, since they were Facebook "friends" with their boss and their boss’ boss). 
• A North Carolina judge became Facebook "Friends" with an attorney. Not unusual, except this attorney  happened to be the attorney for the client on the judges’ current case. Via Facebook they posted several messages referring to various aspects of the case. Hmmm, even a layperson can see the problem here. You can read more here.

Perhaps the stories above have you shaking your head and recalling the motto that "common sense isn't so common" but still wondering what do they have to do with you?

Well consider the example of the public relations executive who tweeted:    

"True confession but I'm in one of those towns where I scratch my head and say 'I would die if I had to live here.'"

The executive was in town for business with his client FedEx. FedEx employees saw the post and were not pleased with the public disparagement of their hometown of Memphis. Not pleased to the point where they wrote a scathing letter in response which you can read here. 

Since Sales is all about networking, we frequently "friend", "link" and "follow" our clients and prospects. And while the venue seems casual, your team is frequently representing your organization in a public, or semi-public forum. Are you comfortable with what is being said? Rex Stephens offers some good suggestions here. Use these suggestions as a starting point for talking with your team. The challenge is to use social media to strengthen client relationships and increase sales without getting into hot water or worse!