Social Media +Recruitment updates for the retail and hospitality industries.
I am going to have to think up a catchier title for this weekly blog with links to thought-provoking articles, blogs, and updates. The title of a blog is half the battle to getting people to open the blog and read it and I’m pretty sure the current title isn’t filling the bill. Suggestions anyone?
Here is what caught my eye as relevant to the retail and hospitality industries in Canada via social media:
Via Shop.Org and reported in the Dallas Morning News is an interesting article about how many retailers intend to take their Facebook Fan Page and add selling merchandise to the list of a Fan Page functions for the upcoming holiday season. Hmmmm. Initially these Fan Pages (or Facebook Business Pages) were to ‘engage’, communicate and consult with customers all with the end purpose of building brand and brand loyalty. They have also been used as a place to tackle customer service issues head on and – as you’ve heard me say consistently - they are a great place to recruit. Check out the article about selling merchandise………..
While talking about those Facebook Fan Pages, in August I posted a discussion on some LinkedIn Groups quoting Social Media guru, Jay Baer and his contention that maybe Facebook Fan Pages will replace websites one day. Well! The discussion is still continuing and if you’ve got a little time, pour yourself a coffee and read the comments. The comments include fabulous and excellent and free advice from some very clever people on the differences, strengths, and values of the two platforms. You’ll have to log into LinkedIn to follow this link:
WebsitesVersusFacebookFanPages
Even though Doug Stephens is well known as The Retail Prophet in Canada, his wisdom and services are solicited throughout the world and I consider his blog a must-read. This blog talks about LBM (Location Based Marketing – oh great, another an acronym). LBM is uniquely necessary for the retail and hospitality industry and we’ll hear lots more about it in 2011. Here is Doug’s right-on analysis of what it is and why its been slow to catch on….
And for my Recruitment readers…………Lots and LOTS of information on what to expect in recruitment for 2011. More advanced social media techniques? new features on job boards? which job boards? Are Human Resources professionals and Recruiters morphing into Marketing and Sales Professionals?
Jeff Dickey-Chasins is the JobBoard Doctor. (We got Prophets and Doctors and Marketing Guys and Recruiting Wizards – you have to keep your eye on the ball!).
His monthly analysis emphasizes developments throughout the Job Board world, but also includes articles and updates on anything to do with recruiting online. He’s another on my must-read list. Here’s his October 2010 news roundup
Finally, hearty congratulations to Annette Verschuren, the President of Home Depot Canada. She is the new Henry Singer Award recipient and will accept the award at the University of Alberta’s School of Retailing Henry Singer Award Ceremony in Edmonton on Tuesday of next week. Ms. Verschuren’s career has been consistently marked with innovative, success, and recognition and she’s this lady’s hero in achieving these results in the fairly male-dominated home improvement industry. She is a consummate retailer, irrespective of industry sector. Ceremony ticket details http://ht.ly/2JtEp
I discovered your homepage by coincidence.
Very interesting posts and well written.
I will put your site on my blogroll.
Thanks Randy – every blogroll helps!
Hi Brenda,
I love your blog. I work in marketing and find your blog a valuable resource for the social media stream. I’m curious about your thoughts on companies getting involved in developing their own applications for Facebook, or for the iPhone/Blackberry. I would imagine it would a logical step after creating substantial interaction through Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn but I couldn’t help but wonder what your thoughts were.
Many companies and individuals are hoping to be the next to develop an excellent app for Facebook or SmartPhones or both. I think most of the emphasis is on SmartPhone apps as so many people access social media through their mobile device.
If you can develop your own – so much the better. Most companies don’t have the size or scope to be able to do that, but a customized app will hopefully do exactly what you want it to do for your company and that’s an advantage. For Facebook apps, however, there are several Facebook hoops to jump through as they won’t have just any application on their platform.