As movie buffs will be well aware, this week sees the release of the critically acclaimed blockbuster The Social Network on DVD and blu-ray. Even the casual sofa-dweller may have found it hard to escape the subconscious glare of ‘that facebook film’; such is the contemporary relevance of world’s biggest social-networking website.
Words like ‘revolution’ get thrown around all too easily in the technological juggernaut that is the 21st century. It would take a brave individual, however, to argue that social media hasn’t revolutionised the way that we communicate.
One irony of the meteoric rise of the social network is that is no longer solely a social affair. Many businesses, keen to reap the rewards of mass communication, are quickly latching on to the phenomenon. Coffee chain Starbucks, with its 5.5 million facebook followers, is perhaps the most recognisable brand to have exploited the medium. It is somewhat surprising then, to learn that many smaller businesses are unaware of the numerous benefits of social media.
As well as providing a platform for people in your local area to search for your product or service, the social network is an invaluable method of generating market research. Sites like facebook are great tools for measuring a client’s response to a product or service before final implementation. Polling your ‘fans’ is one of many ways to measure feedback as well as generate brand awareness.
Taking all of this into consideration, it is clear to see that this is far from a social revolution. It is often the case that revolution is built on the simplest of premises. Facebook has grasped an intrinsic human desire – our need to communicate; and put it in a format that anyone and everyone can follow, manipulate, and identify with. Seamless innovation is rarely complicated, as l am sure Mr Zuckerberg will agree.
About Lily Systems
Lily Systems, the Voice & Data Specialists bring together a team with over twenty years experience in IP Networking and Communications. With the goal of bringing the most advanced technology on the market for converged IP applications and unified communications solutions, to our clients operations.
