| 43% of SMEs now using Social Networking in business communications and marketing The most recent business poll from MSI Global Alliance in Australia and New Zealand shows that 43% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) now use ‘Social Networking’ sites and tools to assist their businesses in areas such as direct communication with clients, managing alumni groups and in the recruitment of new staff. The poll of more than 500 businesses was completed in the first week of November 2009. Mirroring the use of social networking tools by politicians and big business, the survey showed that the value of what was originally designed to help connect friends is fast being adopted by small and medium enterprises as a means to facilitate business communication. But it’s not all one way traffic with 40% of respondents stating they’re do not intend to incorporate Social Networking into their marketing and business plans in the next 12 months. A valuable business tool? MSI Australia and New Zealand spokesman Charles Hornor commented that, “The poll indicates that Social Networking tools may have come of age in a business context. This opinion was dominant among 52% of all survey participants who said ‘Social Networking is valuable from a business perspective’. However, not all business are yet convinced with 20% stating that it holds no value for them - with the remaining 28% as yet undecided. Certainly the available new media communication tools do seem to be developing as a major consideration for SMEs as they seek to bypass ‘in-box’ fatigue with different forms of communication.” While more than one third (35%) of all survey participants said that Social Networking tools still offered most value to assist with connecting friends, those already using the tools in their business said that ‘connecting with business colleagues’ (41%), ‘building brand awareness’ (29%) and ‘growing my business’(31%) were the areas of most value. In addition, 28% of all respondents acknowledged that Social Networking tools such as Facebook could ‘assist in staff recruitment’ as well as ‘managing alumni groups’ (36%). Almost half (48%) of all respondents also acknowledged that these new and developing tools would help them to ‘communicate better with clients’. Who are the big players? Respondents already engaged in Social Networking were asked what sites and tools they are currently using to reach their clients, with the following overall response:
In summary, whatever the hype surrounding Networking sites and tools, this most recent MSI Global Alliance business poll shows that, to a significant degree, businesses are adopting and testing online media other than email as a means to interact with clients, former employees and potential new staff. Some Key findings
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