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The terms 'social media' and 'Web 2.0' may not be at the heart of HR vocabulary, but internet trends such as blogging and social networking are increasingly entering the workplace. Blogging, in particular, is a growing phenomenon.
According to the blog search engine provider Technorati, there are more than 57 million blogs in existence.
What is a blog?
A blog (short for web log) is a user-generated website, where entries are made in journal style and displayed in reverse chronological order.
Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, while some function as more personal, online diaries.
A typical blog combines text, images and links to other blogs, web pages and other media related to its topic.
A crucial part of the blog is for readers to be able to leave comments in an interactive format.
Most blogs are mainly made up of text, although some focus on photographs (photoblog), videos (vlog), or audio (podcasting), and are part of a wider network of social media.
Making blogging work
With a new generation of workers who have knowledge of these and other social media, and the confidence to use them, it is up to employers to ensure that they give staff the opportunity to use them - but not to exploit the use of blogs.
Blogging at work can help to build:
- Enhanced collaboration internally and with clients. Organisations such as investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort and law firm Allen & Overy have all extolled the benefits of blogging. Software giant Microsoft has seen a significant improvement to its reputation on the back of its blogging, together with improved communication with clients.
- Increased work efficiency and avoidance of e-mail overload. A key benefit of blogging is that it leads to a dramatic reduction in e-mail volume. Publishing firm Ziff Davis claims to have made annual cost savings
