Does Social Media Cost Your Company Productivity?

An interesting one this, as I read the latest report concerning social networking sites and a loss in productivity, from Peninsula, a UK employment law firm.

The report mentions that “233 million hours are lost every month as a result of employees "wasting time" on social networking.”.

I’ve not read the full report but apparently 3500 or so companies were included in a survey, which is a fairly sufficient number to extract some meaningful evidence.

I’m presuming that the national average hourly employee rate has been used as a method of arriving at a final figure of £130m (about $260M USD) lost per day, in terms of productivity (not those companies in the survey, that’s the national figure).

Sound like a lot to you? Hmmm, well before we all get scared and start running to the IT department to switch off Facebook access, let’s give this some perspective.

Loss of Productivity

Facebook and various other social media networks are by far “small-fry” when it comes to a loss in productivity, of which in many cases has been in existence since time began. Some of the areas where losses take place might surprise you but include the following list I have cobbled together:

• World Cup cost the British economy almost £4 billion in lost productivity.
• More than one-third of UK executives believe their organisations are being "paralysed" by ineffective middle management, cutting productivity by at least £220bn every year.
• Bad hiring costs UK businesses billions in lost productivity
• Lost productivity, lost millions - New research shows that the UK's largest organisations are spending a huge amount of time getting to grips with desktop applications.
• Time-wasters cost £88bn a year in lost productivity
• Rugby World Cup to cost firms £461m in lost productivity

You can find out for yourself very easily by doing a google search on something like “productivity loss uk” and find hundreds of examples which are far higher up the leader board than the cheeky ole Facebook example, which include sick days, lateness and various other human conditions.

Balance is needed

Companies should question their own structural losses far sooner than jumping on the band wagon of social media bashing, and blaming their employees.

In addition, companies might also consider investing in some quality research to assess the extent at which social networking actually makes for a happier working environment, with satisfied employees, the argument of course is can more work per hour be achieved?

And you?

Are you in a position where social networks are frowned upon in your environment, does your very inefficient manager (costing the company thousands per year) question your usage?
Have you embraced social media as a manager, why, or why not?

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Is it just me or do I have thoughts that YOU may have regarding charities?

OK, so let me set the context here and state that if I walk down any high street in the UK, any day of the week, it is very likely some guy in dreadlocks will be aggressively marketing some form of charity, as a means of getting another signature for a monthly direct debit from the victims bank account.

The dreadlocked bozo will be equipped with a clipboard, a fluorescent apron, and much more than an over zealous delivery line. In fact deadlocked bozo will completely ignore peoples’ body language and invade body space quicker than Robin realises the drinks are on Batman!

If you are in UK I know YOU experience this, “Sir, can I tell you about”, “Madam, would you be interested in”, “hi mate did you know we are”.. get lost you snotty creep!

It’s not once or twice I have been vocally dismissive to such activity, it has become a mini-hobby and my radar can now detect these “pushers” a mile off, and I’ll stare them out in the entrance path to the engagement zone!

“Pushers” is exactly what these people are, typically students picking up some extra commission per direct debit hook, or other do-gooders who have not really thought about the fact that this really pisses people off.

Ok, rant over and now let’s ask the question about how charities should be marketed.

I am certainly not anti-charity, in fact I think that a collective of people can achieve great things for the benefit of others, and those of us who are more fortunate can, perhaps should(?), help out those of us who are less fortunate. Charity can have its place, but what I dislike most is the way a good many people feel “guilty” if they do not give to Mr Dreadlock’s oh so wonderful pitch, they feel bad, they feel to be somehow mean, or nasty, even though many of these people probably need their hard earned bucks themselves for a new pair of shoes for their own children. It is the pressure sale in the high-street I dislike and a LOT, it’s become and occupation and a career.

I sponsored a charity conference a few months ago in the 3D world of SecondLife by donating space and enabling an event to take place with my friend Pauline. The idea for the conference was to raise the awareness of differing methods of marketing charity and how to use a community to collectively support a cause (which I do support).

A friend of mine Mike sent me an invite to a Ghana Aid which is a good example of how to raise awareness and funds for a charity/cause. This is how these things should work, where a mass of people engage in something together and share. This is the exact opposite of Mr Dreadlock Pusher, (full disclosure I have no issue with dreadlocks).

Is this just me, what do you think? Is this just the UK? Is it just me?

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