Manager's Guide to Social Media (Briefcase Books Series) 1st Edition

Manager's Guide to Social Media by Scott Klososky is a practical book on how companies can leverage social technologies. Klososky's thesis is that social tools have a tremendous potential for helping organizations reach their objectives and flourish. However, since the very tools that facilitate communication among the organization, its customer, and partners are also the same tools that connect employees to their families and friends, challenges can arise. The author's argument is that managers must face the fact that social technology is only beginning and is here to stay. Managers have a huge role in spreading social technology that has the power to influence every division of a company.Klososky bases his methodology on his own background as a pioneer using the web as a tool and his own experience helping organizations implement technology. Many organizations invite Klososky to share information with them about whatever the next wave in computer technology is. The author does not use any outside source to write the book; instead, he relies entirely on his own knowledge and practice.The book presents twelve chapters, starting with an introduction to social technologies. It then moves to social technologies for the organization and the leadership perspective. Next, it covers the selection, implementation, and integration of tools. Finally, it explains the future of managing social technologies. The book describes three types of social technology: (1) social relevancy, (2) social media (Scribd, Slideshare, Flickr, and Youtube), and (3) social networking (MySpace, Facebook, Ning, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Twitter, Foursquare, and blogging). It is important for managers to comprehend the differences among each of the three different areas of social technology.Klososky states that his purposes for writing this book is "to serve as one of the first how-to guides for managing the people who are now bringing these tools to work and are tasked with figuring out how to leverage them" (P. X). He accomplishes his goal by successfully defining in a simple way what social technology is and by providing the needed data for its implementation. The uniqueness of the book is the author's ability to put very heavy information into an easy-to-read, simplified format. He uses many special features such as key terms, smart managing, tricks of the trait, for example, caution, mistake proofing, and tools that are very helpful for the reader to understand and visualize the content. The author's literary traits involve a casual, relaxed, and simple style that keeps the reader engaged from the beginning to the end.Klososky's account does not present any undue bias. Although, he makes a strong case for the use of technology, he insists at the same time on building personal relationships both within the organizations and with customers and partners. The main lesson from this book is to see the practical applications of social technology from a leadership perspective. It is important to be aware of how managers and leaders can be key elements for the success of this Web 2.0 world at the business level. This material is an informative and interesting work. Managers, leaders, informational technology people, and everyone in the digital epoch could all benefit from the book.

.The title describes this book succinctly. For a manager wondering just what to make of the "social media" phenomenon, the author provided a clear and comprehensive review.I read this book for such a review. Even though I'm in the "baby boomer" demographic (one which does not fare too well in the author's estimation!), I've been blogging since 2003 and have had a Twitter and FB account for much longer than they've been in the news. Yet I still wonder just how social media is useful in business. In particular, since I'm in manufacturing, does it relate at all to our business?The author answered this question wonderfully on page 24, which I paraphrase: If your customers use social media, your company needs to be all over it; if they don't, it isn't so important.This squares with what I've seen and experienced and so, in my mind, added credibility to Scott Klososky's views in the book.The book, overall, is an easy read. Notes and icons in the margin abound and help in summarizing text. The concept of assessing "Social Relevancy", on p 77ff was new and helpful. This text is targeted on business use of social tools and, for the most part, hits that target.The only place the aim wandered was in a general drift towards whining about companies which block access to social media sites. The author implied young employees expect any company to provide full-time, unfettered access to their personal Facebook accounts, as an entitlement. To not acquiesce to such demands immediately brands such a company with the dreaded "luddite" label. This repeated whine got a bit old but did not overly detract from the otherwise useful aspects of the book.This is a useful book for the manager who needs to be into social media and wants a clear, concise guide..

The ideal book for the business application of social technologies. Scott has done and excellent job of focusing on the realities of using social technologies within your company and provided valuable tips on induction training, management responsibility, policy, performance metrics, ROI vs ROE (Return on Effort).This book also provides great in-sight into managing virtual teams with the use of social technologies for all ages and demographics you're likely to encounter.Not only is this book about management and what managers NEED to know to keep productive and competitive but it also connects the use of social technologies with the product focused and people (HR, management, collaboration, performance) elements too.Scott has gone to the trouble of identifying some great tools (free and paid) to help managers understand and implement social media/technologies and measure their impact and effectiveness along the way.Get this book of your struggling to understand social technologies, starting to identify/implement a plan within your business or currently sitting in a senior executive role and want a short, crisp and concise insight into the current workings of social technologies and where it is headed.

Very good Book to understand how to apply the social technology, media in business.Must read for managers or aspiring managers.