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November, 2009

SOCIAL MEDIA

In this Issue:

    BUSINESS USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA – YES, NO, MAYBE
    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

BUSINESS USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA – YES, NO, MAYBE


Social MediaEntrepreneurs, small businesses, and some not so small businesses have seized on social media as marketing and recruiting tools. Twitter, blogs, Linkedin, and Facebook are among the most commonly used by businesses. Interestingly, surveys reveal that the most successful business applications use the same old approaches with updated technology. Building relationships with clients closes more deals than building a big following.

If your business has not yet jumped into the mix, do some research first to see what apps are most suitable. There are countless ‘infomercial’ blogs discussing the many ways these tools have been used successfully and unsuccessfully. To avoid blog hype, look at some of the surveys and whitepapers listed in the following resource section.

There are other social media topics which businesses may want to address even if they are not active media participants. Many companies are writing employee social media guidelines into their policies. Having clearly stated policies can eliminate HR headaches later.

If your business decides to include social media in its business plan, you will want to keep current with new regulations which are beginning to appear. For example, the FTC recently issued new regulations concerning testimonial and review blogs.

Finally, keep security in mind should you choose to participate in social media. There are resources listed below to help you analyze and prepare for security risks. At a minimum, you will probably not want social media applications to interface with the computer system which runs your business.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES


Surveys and Whitepapers

• Marketing Charts shares results of a survey examining business use of social media.
• Michael Stelzner provides an in-depth whitepaper report on social media marketing.
• The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research provides non-profit social media usage survey results.


How Businesses Use Social Media

• The NY Times provides interesting examples of Twitter use.
• Entrepreneur.com has ideas for Twitter use by small businesses.
• Comcast's use of Twitter.
• BNET advice on business use of Linkedin.

Examples of Company Guidelines

• Wired.com regarding the Associated Press social net-working policy.
• ESPN's guidelines for use of social media.
• About.com guidance for developing social media policies.
• IBM takes a liberal approach to social media guidelines.
• About.com provides examples of employee blogging guides

Free Online Recruiting and Information Sharing Opportunity through IL workNet

• Illinois workNet provides highly visible postings for businesses in five Key Sectors. Businesses in one of these key sectors may contact their Business Services Team for more information.

The Business Pathway


Post Key Industry Jobs for FREE on CareerBuilder. Click here to find a Business Service Team Member and find out how.

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  • Local Interest
    Attention: Developers, Contractors, and Sub-Contracting Firms: Neighborhood Stabilization Program RFP
    In August, 2008 the United States Congress authorized the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) as a federal grant under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).  The purpose of this program is to provide emergency assistance for the acquisition and redevelopment of foreclosed and abandoned properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities.  The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), as the NSP administrator for the State, is currently seeking housing redevelopment proposals that will help revitalize and stabilize communities that have been the most negatively impacted by foreclosures, high-risk mortgages, and high rates of abandoned or vacant properties.

    HACIA has been hired as a sub-contractor to provide assistance with:
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    For more information or a copy of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program RFP please log on to www.haciaworks.org External link opens in a new window.

    For technical assistance and consultation related to NSP, please contact Juan Calahorrano or Gilbert Villegas at (312) 666-5910.

  • Innovate Now! Transforming the Chicagoland Region into a Globally Recognized Center for Innovation
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    Innovate Now! is a partnership of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Council on Competitiveness, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and World Business Chicago.

    Innovate Now! will transform Chicagoland into a globally recognized center for innovation. The initiative encourages widespread adoption of innovative practices and strategies within the Chicagoland region, improving our capacity for growth and our ability to compete in the global economy.

    For more information on this initiative, visit the Innovate Now! External link opens in a new windowwebsite. 


  • Power your business with sustainability
    CSBA Image The Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance (part of Foresight Design Initiative) has effectively established itself as a hub and catalyst for the sustainable business community in Chicago, fostering the exchange of best practices and fueling business growth. We provide our members with opportunities for connection, education, knowledge sharing and promotion through our referral network, online Green Business Directory, and more.
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    Economic Recovery Resources
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    WIA Works in Illinois WIA Works is an initiative to inform our communities of the important and successful work that takes place every day across Illinois to help career dreams become a reality.

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  • Is Your Business Positioned to Grow?
    IEN Banner Is your business positioned to grow with just a little help from people with know-how and the right connections? If so, the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network (IEN), the umbrella for all Illinois' small business services, can give you that help.  IEN helps you cut through the tangle of resources and find the ones you need to achieve your goals. This one seamless system makes it easy for you to to accelerate your company's growth.

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  • Looking for the Official Business Link to the U.S. Government?
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  • Low Income Energy Efficient Residential Retrofit Program

    More than $213,000 in grants will help existing low-income homeowners replace items such as refrigerators, furnaces, lighting, dishwashers and air conditioners with energy-efficient models.

    Legislation approved last year created funding for programs and incentives through money from ComEd and Ameren to reduce electrical energy usage and demand by company customers.

    Click here External link opens in a new window to learn who is eligible and  how the process works.


  • Mentoring and Volunteerism as a Dropout Prevention Strategy
    Tutor/Mentor Connection In many of our schools, half or more of high school students do not graduate, let alone leave high school prepared to fully participate in civic life. 

    Businesses have an opportunity to get more personally involved in the lives of students in high poverty neighborhoods with failing schools to help end this crisis. 

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  • The U.S. Economic Census
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