Social Networking

Social Networking

What are some ways (corporate and otherwise) that these technologies can be used?

Video chatting and other mediums such as Facebook, Linkedin, and Instagram, companies can benefit from the instant access they can get through mass communication social networking brings. Many companies can reach many possible and loyal consumers through their unique brand of marketing their products. 

Social networking can bring sales right to their door without the challenge of bringing consumers into their storefront establishments. Social media can have their products advertised and marketed over the internet within a matter of seconds, and consumers have access to these products in a matter of seconds after companies publish them online. 

What are the benefits of these technologies to society? Be specific. 

a. Convenience - the quickest way to advertise and publish products to a mass of consumers is through the internet. Social networking can help facilitate the way companies do business in a friendly, warm manner.  Consumers can build relationships with the businesses they buy products from online through fast, reliable service and a great product. 

When the products businesses sell are consistently of high-standard quality, consumers will purchase from these businesses time after time and become possibly loyal to the business for which they established this relationship. In the age of technology and information, the convenience of quick, fast access to what consumers need and want is a great way to become a great communicator today and in the future.

b. Efficient - the most consistent way to deliver great service at a low cost to consumers is another way to create great relationships with the business and the product.  With constant interaction with consumers, businesses can get a feel of how the market with them are evolving and changing through time. By using social media, companies can use many different types of surveys to get current reactions to the current ways businesses are communicating with consumers and how to improve their connections to consumers in the future. 

c. Effective - when businesses use strategies that help them create more effective ways to reach consumers and establish relationships with them that can build a community of productive results. Businesses that connect with these consumers can create an environment helps both consumers and businesses have better ways to establish a relationship that can last a long time. 

Is there a "dark side"?

With all the great things that today's technology can bring, there are also challenging things that technology can bring. Accidents happen, and when businesses do not communicate in a manner that would help consumers feel confident that they are listening and truly care about what happens then many scenarios can play out. In "Amazon Says Error Removed Listings" by Motoko Rich, many gay and lesbian consumers were upset and concerned about the way the situation was handled. Amazon can learn from this and plan an appropriate way to respond to consumer concerns by using more efficient, effective methods that would be respectful to all. 

In 'Dictionary word of the year: "Unfriend" by Doug Gross, he explains how face-to-face relationships can become dangerously lacking when there is too much electronic communication throughout the life of a young adult. He explains how children from very young ages are introduced to electronic devices, social media and how to use them in a very extensive manner causes less intimidate face-to-face time. 

This can cause very awkward times when these same children need to meet people and establish relationships with others either at work or personal (such as finding a mate and have a family in the future) can be very challenging.  I think the best way to cure this is to establish a balanced approach to social networking. Have limited times for which they can communicate online and then go and have social time as well.