Mixing Professional and Personal Lives?
Mixing Professional and Personal Lives?
  • Natasha Willhite, US Correspondent of Korea IT Tim
  • 승인 2011.07.15 05:20
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Minnesota, USA - July 14, 2011 - There is a blurred area when it comes to communicating with clients and long-term customers - especially when it comes to interactions over the internet. A decade ago this was not a topic of conversation since companies and regular people did not mix in a 'social' way; however, increasingly people are seeing 'friend requests' on Facebook on their personal pages (not the company profile pages). The 'deny' button is harder to press when these business contacts are established for years. If you ever find yourself in this position, whether you are a business owner, doctor, lawyer, politician, or some other publicly known person,  there are a few ways of making the connection without letting these people into your personal life.

Several times I was approached by business contacts, clients, and customers from past jobs who asked for me to contact them - thankfully I was not in the awkward position of being asked my contact information so that I can be found on Facebook. Unfortunately for them, I did not follow through with contacting them. Yet, now I realize that there is ways to have this type of connection without actually creating a personal relationship.

 

Tip #1 Create a 'Special' Facebook page using your business e-mail  - use the name they know

Many of us work in positions where others know our first and last names -such as a reporter like me; this makes it easy for anyone to find us on social networks. As much as Facebook would not like for anyone to have a couple of accounts, there are instances when this is necessary to keep business and personal life separate.

Simply create an account with your network visibility high. Basically, do not limit those who can search for you based on the network - like a school or organization.

Tip #2 Modify your name in your personal page to include a maiden name -if you are not married, include a nickname

Let your friends know your 'modified' name so that they can easily find you when searching. If most of your friends go to your university, you can easily change the settings so that only those in that network can find you. This way, you can keep your business contacts out while still maintaining easy access to your personal friends.

Tip #3 Increase the privacy settings of your personal account so it is not easily found

If you are still worried about a business contact who may share networks with you, you may choose to increase your privacy settings to be higher to include only those who can find you are friends of friends; it may create a frustrating task of finding friends instead of asking them to find you on Facebook; however, the results are worth it.

Tip #4 Hide your friends' list in your special account - no one needs to know who else is on your list

As much everyone should hide their friend lists, this account it is crucial; there is nothing worse than business contacts bothering other business contacts - this can really happen depending on the type of business that you do.

Tip #5 Post business related information as well as minor personal details -for instance, 'The sun is shining, so today is a good day to work' or 'on vacation from work, will be absent from work and Facebook for the next week'

Social networks are a way to make your work life more personal. Find unique and risk-free ways of mixing the two together. Remember, only post what your employer would feel comfortable with you posting - as well as you.

Tip #6 Change your account settings

Since your contacts would be business contacts, you may not want to have others see what others are posting. Instead of removing the 'wall' feature completely, you may consider disabling the 'comment' feature; this allows you to post while others read what you write. Most would contact you via private message if there are any questions or comments about your posting.

Tip #7 Do not conduct business over this new account, save all that discussion for business e-mails and appointments

As always, only conduct business in the ways that your business wants you to do it. Do it on company time and by company methods. Do not try to do it over Facebook. Your company would need 'professional' records of the interactions and so far Facebook does not make the cut.



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