Inside CR » Blog Archive » 5 Tips to Stay Productive at Work & Manage Your Social Networks
5 Tips to Stay Productive at Work & Manage Your Social Networks
Posted by Caroline Jones, media relations intern on Oct 27, 2009 in Caroline Jones, Intern Posts |
According to a recent Mashable article, and others, it is suggested that online activity or use of social networks at work is costing businesses billions of dollars each year because employees spend more time surfing the Web than being a productive colleague.
I can’t say that I am a wiz at calculating these stats but I can attest to some of that. I spend a great deal of my time on social networks. I am fortunate to have an internship at Come Recommended that allows me to do just that. I enjoy reading blogs and sharing my thoughts and experiences with others interested in the same thing. It is fun to connect with people on a given subject and engage in a mutually interesting conversation.
By all means, your work is your first priority while on the clock. Aside from CR, I have a job and need to juggle multiple priorities on a daily basis. Follow these smart tips to effectively stay productive at the office and manage your social networks:
- Arrive to work a little early. If you enjoy spending time with social media, arrive to work a little early (15 minutes to a half hour) so you have time to catch up on your blog, Twitter and Facebook feeds before you start the work day. Personally, I always feel a boost when I’m the first person (or one of the first) at work and already have a head start on my day while people are still walking in the door.
- Focus on professional development. It is better that your boss happens to catch you reading the latest article about using digital media to enhance productivity and sales at work rather than being caught checking Perez Hilton.
- Share relevant industry news. Did something exciting or compelling happen in your field? Was a recent report released that would have an impact on the company? Send the article to your boss along with a brief note about how the XYZ findings affect your work and most importantly, the company.
- Seek creative inspiration. Next time you are stuck on a difficult task, Google your problem. You can find just about anything on the Internet, it is likely someone in your network has experienced a similar issue. Be absolutely careful not to share private or confidential company or client information, but you may find that an outside opinion can be a helpful resource.
- Attend professional webinars. Gain new insights or learn about the latest digital networking trends over lunch or while you work at your desk. Many of these are free to attend. If there is a fee, you may consider running a proposal by your boss to cover the expense if it is truly interesting and relevant to the company’s business practices.
If you need some personal time to break up your day, you can catch up on your Facebook feed over your lunch break. In my experience, I have found that often when you are the most distracted, you need to be focusing the most on your work. Learn to manage your time efficiently now so you can enjoy the benefits of maintaining your social networks while getting ahead at work.
Suggestions? Leave them in the comments below.
According to a recent