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Media Kit: Enterprise 2.0

Benefits of social networks and online communities

Enterprise 2.0

Social Networks — Changing the way we work.

According to an independent market report, European business users are embracing the benefits of 'Web 2.0' technology to improve their productivity and efficiency. The survey highlights the fact that CIO's need to think about the implications for their networking strategy and ensure they are equipped to embrace the opportunities created by social networking.

Full Story

Full Story

A pan-European survey of more than 2,500 people in five countries shows that the use of social networking tools as part of everyday working life has led to an increase in efficiency. Corporations need to make sure they are ready and able to harness these tools and make the most of the opportunities created by social networking in the workplace. While the levels of adoption vary from country to country, CIOs and senior IT decision makers need to think about the implications this has for their own internal networking strategy and ensure they configure their networks accordingly.

The study, conducted by Dynamic Markets on behalf of AT&T, reveals:

  • 65% of employees surveyed say that social networking sites have made them and/or their colleagues more efficient
  • 63% say they have enabled them and their colleagues to achieve things that would not otherwise have been possible
  • 46% say they have sparked ideas and creativity for them personally

The Top 5 social networking tools being used as part of everyday working life are:

  1. Companies' own collaboration sites on intranets (39%)
  2. Internal forums within the company (20%)
  3. Company-produced video material shared on intranets (16%)
  4. Online social networks, such as LinkedIn and Facebook (15%)
  5. External collaboration sites on the web and internal blogging sites (both 11%)

The study shows that 65% of employees surveyed in Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands say their company has adopted social networking as part of their working culture. The research also reveals that the rate of adoption is most popular in Germany, leading the way at 72% while Great Britain lags behind with 59%.

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

When asked, 74% of European employees believe using social networks and online communities provide great benefits in the workplace, including increasing knowledge and creating access to problem-solving solutions.

This belief ranks the highest among young employees ages 18-34 and employees with first-hand experience of using social networks.

This new way of working is not, however, without potential problems. Employee distraction and the potential to leak company confidential information are among the most prominent challenges faced.

Although companies are beginning to embrace social networks, and employee expectations are high regarding adoption, many remain wary of the openness social networks bring to their corporations.

For more information, view an executive summary of the independent market report.

Full Report
Full Report
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