Last post we mostly talked about the impact of Twitter on contingent labor programs, quietly mentioning the two other big names, Facebook and LinkedIn. Security issues aside, they may have a strategic role to play in your business.
What could a contingent labor program get from Facebook?
Well, that’s a good question. As with all marketing and communications initiatives, the answer could well be “nothing at all.” We’ve all been party to initiatives that flop, and they’re only really disastrous when the flop comes at a great cost. The upside to a Facebook Initiative is that it’s easy to use and requires very little investment to reach a large number of people.
Creating a public communications portal on Facebook might seem daunting, especially considering the security concerns we brought up last time, but it’s a great way to create a positive experience for the workers in your program. Considering the challenge that many programs have had lately finding skilled labor, a friendly work environment can go a long way toward attracting the talent you need.
The Facebook “wall” is an accessible, controlled way to maintain communication with current, former and potential workers, a place to host helpful articles and even provide informal surveys. Because every user must log in to comment, administrators run less risk of potentially awkward anonymous comments from angry users or troublemakers. Even still, its public nature can provide an opportunity to establish your business as an effective communicator if you publicly resolve issues with unhappy workers. Often enough, people just want to know they’re being heard.
It’s been around for almost ten years now, but LinkedIn has really come into its own in the past couple years. More than just a way to make new connections, LinkedIn offers a number of tailor-made discussion groups perfect for anyone with questions about the services procurement industry.
“How can Procurement Professionals work together with their company’s salespeople?”
“Is centralized procurement past its sell-by date? What alternative model would you suggest, and why?”
“What are your views on the future of procurement?”
Those are just three examples of the discussions happening right now on LinkedIn, as well as potential discussions between buyers and sellers of procurement services and technology. Thinking about a VMS? Maybe you have questions about ERP integration and want to hear from actual users. These groups are the place for you to reach out and better equip yourself to make informed decisions.
When those discussions resonate with services procurement technology, we might occasionally continue the discussion here on What Comes Next, but there will be many more worth your time.