Trust us – we’re PR professionals

There has been a lot of talk in recent weeks about organisations that prevent staff from using social networking sites at work.

Research by McCann Erickson shows that comms teams are being hampered by their own IT departments – with 46% of senior communications professionals unable to access Facebook and the like.

As people increasingly get their information online, having a comprehensive digital strategy is crucial and social networking sites can play an integral part in achieving this. Social networking sites also allow organisations to monitor what is being said about a brand, as well as to communicate with customers.

Drew Benvie said, ‘communications professionals who are blocked from social media sites should not use this as an excuse for not understanding the technology.’

My experience is that those who are unwilling to argue the case for access to social networking sites at work, do not have a full understanding of social media and subsequently fail to persuade the powers that be of their value.

We as PR professionals need to familiarise ourselves with the digital world and it’s benefits – then we will be able to win over those who do not ‘get’ it.