What businesses can learn from social network usage

3/24/2011

Social networks have changed how people interact with each other. Americans can now see what their friends are up to in a matter of clicks, while also checking out any new pictures and engaging in thoughtful conversation.

As Serguei Sofinski, a small business entrepreneur, recently observed, small businesses can learn a lot from how consumers use social networks. He asserts that social networks enable consumers to engage in actions that they would normally do - writing on someone's wall is no different than giving them a phone call while uploading pictures is the same as maintaining a photo album. Social networks are not intrusive mediums, rather, they are complementary.

When businesses adopt new technology, it tends to be the other way around, however. Many entrepreneurs will create entirely new business practices based on that new technology rather than allow them to complement existing practices.

"If that is the case, one of the simple tools on the market to centrally revise and comment on documents while maintaining version control may suit your organization just fine, rather than trying to use technology with more functionality than is necessary," explains the source.

Now that entrepreneurs have greater access to commercial loans, many expect to purchase new equipment. These business owners should keep Sofinski's advice in mind as they buy new technology.