July issue

Headlines

	Quality assured
	Social networking is a business opportunity

Other news

Networking Direct has announced dates for events in Harrogate this year. All are open to business people on a pay as you go basis.

All events take place at Saint Michael’s Hospice on Hornbeam Park between 2.45pm and 5.30pm on 14 July, 1 September, 1 October, 3 November and 1 December.

The first event in Harrogate generated 146 leads from more than 40 representatives from local businesses who attended. Other events take place in Leeds and Wakefield.
 

Twitter?

Stephen Fry might have a few more followers (600k and counting) but follow us on Twitter  or read Nigel's Twitterings. 

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Quality assured

We have become a Business Link quality-assured preferred supplier in the regions of Yorkshire and Humber.

The Yorkshire and Humber brokerage platform offers businesses in the region access to a database of quality assured service providers.

Being approved for this service not only amplifies our capabilities, but also gives our clients added re-assurance in all the services we provide. it means that we can accept vouchers from Business Link Yorkshire. Advisors can also refer clients to us confident that we will endeavour to deliver services to a high quality.

The YH Suppliers database is used to improve the quality and broaden the range of consultants and business-to-business service providers referred by the Business Link Yorkshire service. The system, which was developed by Yorkshire Forward, is used by hundreds of Business Link Yorkshire's advisers to introduce suppliers to new and expanding businesses. 

Speak to your Business Link advisor about funding routes to marketing and PR services.
 

Social networking is a business opportunity

From Chris Norton, managing director, Dead Dinosaur, social media and word-of-mouth specialists
I am regularly being asked the same question by new clients. It goes something like this: "I know that social media is supposed to be a bit of fun, but can it really help my business grow?" My answer is always the same: "Yes, it can, but only if you use it properly."

Social media is basically anything that uses the internet to facilitate conversation. From blogs to social networks, such as Facebook, social media is making waves across the globe and its implications are trickling down into the business arena. The premise behind what may seem a baffling world of technology is the principle of generating conversation and creating word of mouth about your organisation.
 

The business benefits of using social media:
1. Improved brand/company awareness
2. Better perceptions among potential customers
3. Greater loyalty among existing customers
4. Improved organic search engine results – more website traffic
5. Better referrals from existing customers
6. Extremely cost effective
7. Increased sales
 

It's predicted that 600 million people will be using social networking sites by 2012. Today, Facebook has more than 60m users worldwide, with 280,863 currently on the Leeds network alone – and these people are all sharing information and even business.

We have heard endless examples of businesses struggling to see the benefits of social networking in the newspapers, with reports that more than two thirds of employers are even banning or restricting the use of social sites because of fears that employees are wasting time when they should be working. These companies are, however, missing the bountiful possibilities that it has to offer.

One of the most prominent advantages of using social media within the workplace is the networking potential. The latest research by Ofcom found that British adults spend more time social networking than any other European country. Business networking has always been critical to the success of any company, whether it is to meet potential clients and suppliers, or to raise the overall profile of the firm.

The rise of social networks provides businesses with the opportunity to liaise with customers from across the globe on a scale that was unimaginable only a few years ago. Social network LinkedIn has been created entirely for a business networking purpose, allowing companies to source expertise and attract new clients. At my previous company we won an education technology client after emailing a relevant group in Facebook.
 

Social networking can also be used within companies to create a company culture and allow global businesses to interact and share projects, and it enables employers to become more in-tune with activities within the group.

Recruitment
Recruitment is another way in which it is being used for a business benefit. Social communities allow employers to spread messages of vacancies to a much wider audience and they can also provide a useful insight into the lives of any new recruits.

I have even recruited staff through social media removing the need for recruitment fees. On the flip side, job seekers can now access more information on employers by joining a company group or network taking advice from trusted sources, their peers on these networks.

T-mobile created a group on Facebook for graduates who have received job offers. This group allows the recruits to interact before starting work, to arrange house shares and social events, making the first day in a large new organisation less intimidating.

Blogs
There are more than 120 million blogs in the world today, with 6,000 specific business blogs, and certain high profile bloggers can actually influence sales and performance of many companies. If a company liaises with bloggers correctly it could find its customer base and profit levels increasing as bloggers write about that company’s products or services.

Social media specialists can actually monitor all online conversations about a certain brand, topic or competitor. The consultancy can then advise its client that a conversation is taking place on the relevant topic, and the client can then take part in that conversation. I have done this for a number of my clients and one recently found its website traffic increased by almost 700 per cent.

Unless companies adapt their marketing strategies to encompass this new and emerging force, they could be in danger of being left behind.

Follow Chris on Twitter.