How are you getting on with your Enterprise Social Network?
I’ve been writing about using social media for internal communication for the past seven years on my blog.
Throughout that time I’ve shared hundreds of ideas, articles and guest posts to help you choose whether an ESN is right for you, which one to go for, how to make it work and how to ensure it’s not full of tumbleweed.
My top tip is not to view your ESN as a comms channel.
Honestly.
Enterprise Social Networks done well are social – that means they encourage two-way conversations and dialogue. That feels like such an obvious thing to say, but I’m constantly amazed how many people don’t do it.
If you’re using your ESN as a method to broadcast, you’re missing a massive trick.
As I’ve written many times… think curation, not creation.
I’ve seen some excellent examples of ESNs being used effectively in organisations. I’ve also seen some howlers.
Our roles as communicators is to facilitate conversations. ESNs are a fantastic way to encourage a community to grow.
How to learn about ESNs
Today I’ve got news of a special offer for All Things IC blog readers as I’ve partnered with the Simply-Communicate team ahead of their popular SmileLondon event.
SMILE stands for Social Media in the Large Enterprise.
It’s a topic which has evolved over the years and they’ve arrange a stellar line up for their next conference on 14 November 2016 in London.
Every year they host a live stream for people who unable to attend – here’s me tuning in last year while on maternity leave, accompanied by one of my twin sons:
10 week old Jack is listening in to #SMiLELondon – youngest participant? pic.twitter.com/u2pUpwv0Wa
— Rachel Miller (@AllthingsIC) March 11, 2015
The conference is a fantastic way to learn from people on the stage, tune in to conversations online and meet like-minded communicators who are grappling with their ESNs.
Get involved
This year I’m going to be hosting the live stream and interviewing the speakers when they come off stage.
So even if you’re not in the room you can watch what’s going on as I’ll be asking them questions.
Speakers include Rich Ellis from Microsoft, Rebe Tristan from Workplace by Facebook, John Smythe from Engage for Change and Jenny Varley from HSBC:
If you would like to attend, I’ve got a special offer for All Things IC blog readers to save 33% off the ticket price.
All you need to know is my code: AllthingsIC.
You can follow conversations online @simplycomm on Twitter, using the #smilelondon or their website www.smilelondon2016.com
I hope to see you there.
Save on PR Week’s Strategic Internal Communication conference
Just in case one exclusive offer for the marvelous readers of my blog wasn’t enough, here’s news of another one.
I’ve partnered with PR Week for their upcoming IC conference in London on 22 November 2016.
Back for a 12th consecutive year, their Strategic Internal Communications conference has become a key calendar date for IC professionals from all over the UK.
The conference provides delegates with the chance to learn cutting-edge employee engagement techniques, as well as essential opportunities to network with industry peers.
It’s taking place at RIBA, London and the 2016 themes include:
Empowering employees and putting them at the heart of your organisation, communicating through challenging times and change, creating a more agile, digital and customer-centric culture, using new technologies to foster employee experiences. Plus managing post-Brexit uncertainty in the workplace.
Agenda highlights include:
- Rebecca Heptinstall will be showing you how the Financial Times use Facebook at Work
- Caroline Rhodes will be revealing how Diageo use collaboration platforms to inspire, inform and energise employees
- Sarah Davies and Joanna Bleasdale will be demonstrating how BT Consumer use broadcast as a powerful leadership tool
- Drew McMillan will be explaining how Virgin Trains use consumer insight techniques to get closer to their employees
- Charelle Wigley will be discussing how Bupa encouraged colleagues across the world to share their stories.
You can follow conversations on Twitter #PRWInternal.
The website for full information and to book your tickets is http://www.prweek.com/uk/strategic-internal-comms.
Use my discount code to save 15% – just enter ATIC at the checkout.
Further reading about ESNs via All Things IC
All articles tagged ESN
New research highlights challenges to using ESNs
Who’s using what for internal social media?
All you need to know about Facebook at Work
Ideas to help you roll out and use Yammer
How to use Yammer for BCP
Five skills that can make or break your ESN
Ten lessons from introducing an ESN
Video, and creating an impact with your ESN
I hope to see you there,
Rachel
Post author: Rachel Miller
First published on the All Things IC blog 21 October 2016.
