By Stacy Calvert - Copywriter at Xapsis Integrated Marketing
Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer created a stir among working moms and
telecommuters around the world with her mandate that home workers return to the
office. These groups have a point; working at home offers many benefits to both
employers and workers. It creates life balance, reduces both stress and
commuting costs, and often increases productivity.
Yet a study of Chinese telecommuters found that these employees were 50
percent less likely to be promoted than their on-site colleagues. Even when productivity is higher at home,
missing out on water cooler talk can diminish how an employee is perceived.
Fair or not, working remotely can create a distance that’s not just physical.
Your customers may feel the same way if they don’t perceive you as an
active participant in their lives. You may be working diligently behind the
scenes to fulfill their needs. However, if you don’t fully engage them, they
may go with a competitor who adds value through regular, meaningful
communication.
Social media lets you create an ongoing dialogue with customers and
prospects, and provides a public “face” for your business. In addition to
preventing your company from becoming a faceless entity, Twitter, Facebook,
LinkedIn and other social media platforms allow you to market your company to
the online world. Your marketing efforts might even reach a global audience if
your how-to video or funny tweet goes viral.
When it comes to marketing, perception is everything. Whether or not you
agree with Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer’s stance on telecommuting, take a cue from
studies on the subject. Contact Xapsis today to find out how social media as
part of an integrated marketing package can prevent your business from being
left behind.
