If you haven't already noticed, the social media train left the station a while ago. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't hear someone talking about Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn and the countless other platforms that pop up every single day. This stuff is important, and it is becoming even more important as the use of mobile smartphones and tablets continue to skyrocket in popularity.
Here's the thing, when it comes to social media: I don't know all the ins and outs, but I try what tactics I can, to benefit Avnet Inc. (NYSE: AVT). What I do know is that it is important to invest in someone who does get it.
I recently spoke with representatives of a major US university about a new degree program it's developing that's all about communication in this new digital and mobile world. This degree would give students the technical skills needed to enable them to effectively use new technologies. These graduates will be trained to not only implement the technology but to understand the social, cultural, and professional implications of their digital work. Sounds innovative to me.
We have all read the stories about students not finding jobs when they graduate. Well, this is a superb entry job. There is a growing need among B2B and, of course, B2C companies for people with this expertise, and I think this degree program will prep students for a career starter. This would easily prepare these young folks for internships as well, which I feel is vital for students.
This type of a role will expose the student to a wide variety of disciplines that are transferable to many other areas in marketing, communications, employee morale, community, and public relations. This role is important and new to most departments, so they will be noticed as well. If they do well they can easily move on to other opportunities.
Going forward, I think that having a solid understanding of how to effectively communicate using technologies of today and tomorrow will be key to having a successful career in these fields. What do you think? Does it make sense?
It is wonderful to have social media and availability of plethora of information. However, my worry is time needed to browse it and to digest even useful data. Getting data may not be so important now. But it may be how fast can you read and digest essential information required.
You are right, With the huge amount of data availabe on social media today, there is indeed the need to devise techniques that can help users to get what is important to them without having to search through all that data.
In no time our resumes will not only have email and cellphone but also Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter profile. If you prepare your Linkedin profile well enough, you can also get references displayed from another Linkedin user.
t.alex, I believe many people already include social media profiles and contact information on their resumes, in addition to web pages and other information. You want to let the recruiter know you are up to date with tools used by professionals.
Yep I have seen some people start doing that. Some others hold back and do not put anything on their Linkedin profile. They are not comfortable with the idea that the current bosses would see their profile and would assume that they are looking for job elsewhere.
What this means is that the person generating and transmitting the information also needs to consider what it will take the reviewer to evaluate the data. If it is added make sure it's easy to digest and make sure it is valuable information.
You are right. Reviewers will not waste their valuable time going through long and boring online resumes, for instance. There are even specialized software that do a pre-review, based on specific keywords and phrases.
What type of background would they require ? or what type of courses will they see? Will it be technical or more marketing?
I think of social media as a tool, but not the end in itself, I don't know if someone that knows how to use Twitter really well would help a company if they don't know anything about marketing or customer relationships.
I do not think that having your profile on LinkedIn or such social media is counterproductive as far your current job is concerned.
In this social media age this has become an important feature of every professional that he has his professional profile on a site such as LinkedIn and his personal profile ona site such as FB.
If one is working for a professional company then the presence of such profile would not hinder youe career but if your boss is not a professional then it could be problem.
As far data extraction from the social media sites is concerned I would recommend that Google should come out with a Social media specific search engine to help in this matter
Google would like to be able to get access to the social media data, but I don't think that the information will be let "open" for any search engine to grab it.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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