The new business tools: Facebook, Twitter

Employees use many tools to get their work done. Laptops and mobile apps are helpful, and this year they may need to plug into Facebook and Twitter. With the growing popularity of these social networks, it's inevitable that they will be used to connect with customers and to provide services that are essential to keep your business running smoothly.

An article this week from CIO.com, however, finds a recent survey showing  that more than half of CIOs in the United States do not allow employees to log onto social networking sites during the workday. It's a futile effort, says IDC analyst Caroline Dangson. Attempting to block workers from social networking sites is just not in the cards.

"This concept of trying to control or block [social media usage], it is not going to work," Dangson tells CIO.com. "There's going to be a divide, with some companies that shun public social networks and are fearful of using them, and some who embrace it and take the risk."

An IDC survey of 4,710 U.S. workers in October found that 34 percent use consumer social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn for business purposes, and 9 percent use microblogging sites like Twitter for business purposes.

But there is plenty of pushback from employers, according to Robert Half Technology. A survey of 1,400 CIOs from U.S. companies with at least 100 employees found that 54 percent completely prohibit use of social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, while at work.

The verdict may still be out for your business on the future of social media at the workplace. But the evidence is already showing that it's a positive development for the business world. And employers will have to start loosening up on how and when their workers can use it during the day.

For more on Twitter and Facebook at the office:
- see this CIO.com article

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