1. Chapter 8 Social Media for Business Communication

2. Learning Objectives
Learning Objective 8.1 Explain characteristics of the emerging Social Age. Learning Objective 8.2 Use blogs, wikis, forums, and other social tools for effective communication within organizations. Learning Objective 8.3 Create blogs for effective external communications. Learning Objective 8.4 Build a credible online reputation. Learning Objective 8.5 Describe the ethical use of social media for work.
LO8.1 Explain characteristics of the emerging Social Age.
LO8.2 Use blogs, wikis, forums, and other social tools for effective communication within organizations.
LO8.3 Create blogs for effective external communications.
LO8.4 Build a credible online reputation.
LO8.5 Describe the ethical use of social media for work.

3. Chapter Overview Characteristics of the Social Age
Effective communication with blogs, wikis, and forums
Blogs for external communication
Online reputation
Ethical use of social media
This chapter covers the following topics: characteristics of the Social Age; effective communication with blogs, wikis, and forums; blogs for external communication; online reputation; and ethical use of social media.

4. Figure 8.1 The Evolving Workplace
Many relatively inexpensive, Internet-based communication tools used in business—social networking, blogs, messaging, discussion forums—are driving profound changes in how people connect and collaborate in the workplace. These changes are so profound that workplace culture is moving into a new era: from the Information Age to the Social Age (see Figure 8.1).
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5. Communicating in the Workplace in the Social Age
An era in which people engage in networked communication, collaborate across boundaries, and solve problems communally
The Social Age is an era in which people engage in networked communication, collaborate across boundaries, and solve problems communally. However, even though the communication technologies that have paved the way for the Social Age are changing rapidly (in months and years), workplace culture is relatively slow to change (in years and decades). So keep in mind that cultural norms and values more significantly influence the impact of social media in the workplace than do its technical capabilities.

6. Characteristics of the Social Age (1 of 2)
Web 1.0
Most web pages read-only and static
Web 2.0
Read-write web where users interact extensively with web pages— authoring content, expressing opinions, and customizing and editing web content among other things
The evolution of the Internet during the past 15 years from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 platforms is the primary driver of the Social Age. In the original Internet, referred to as Web 1.0, most web pages were read-only and static. As the Internet evolved, referred to as Web 2.0, what emerged was the read-write web, where users interact extensively with web pages—authoring content, expressing opinions, and customizing and editing web content among other things. Web 2.0 communication tools, often referred to as social media, include social networks, blogs, wikis, gaming, podcasts, and information tagging.

7. Table 8.1 Comparisons Between User 1.0 and User 2.0
Passively reads and searches for content.
Actively creates and shares content online.
Depends on content creator; does not express own opinion.
Can express opinions and even change the content presented.
Gets the web as is.
Customizes web pages and content.
is the main communication tool.
Peer-to-peer programs are the main communication tools.
The computer is the main access point.
Connects from various devices.
Connected online for time-limited sessions.
Connected online all the time.
Web 1.0 communication tools are primarily passive and static. By contrast, Web 2.0 communication tools are interactive, customizable, and social. User 1.0 refers to an individual who primarily uses and prefers Web 1.0 tools, whereas User 2.0 refers to an individual who primarily uses and prefers Web 2.0 tools (see Table 8.1). The emerging Social Age is adopting many workplace norms and values from users of Web 2.0 tools.

8. Characteristics of the Social Age (2 of 2)
Increasingly, companies are adopting social networking platforms that contain Web 2.0 communication tools. These platforms contain many of the features available on social networking websites: user profiles, microblogs, blogs, wikis, and file uploading.
Increasingly, companies are adopting social networking platforms that contain Web 2.0 communication tools (also called enterprise social software and Enterprise 2.0) in the workplace. These platforms contain many of the features available on social networking websites: user profiles, microblogs, blogs, wikis, and file uploading. They often include a variety of other communication and collaboration tools as well, including online audio and video calls, shared work spaces, calendars, and private messaging (or ) systems.

9. Table 8.2 Benefits and Challenges of Social Media in the Workplace (1 of 2)
Benefits of Social Media
To companies:
Team communication and collaboration
Succession planning
Recruitment and on-boarding
Idea sharing/knowledge management
Skills development and training
Interfacing with customers, suppliers, and partners
Decreased time to market for new products and services
More innovative, creative, effective, and profitable approaches to work problems
Less time and fewer resources needed for business travel
To business professionals:
Build professional networks internally and externally
Access business expertise and knowledge more rapidly
Enhance camaraderie with peers
The emerging work culture associated with the Social Age presents many benefits to companies and business professionals in the context of team and networked communication (see Table 8.2).

10. Table 8.2 Benefits and Challenges of Social Media in the Workplace (2 of 2)
Challenges and Risks of Social Media
To companies:
Lack of adoption and penetration
Lack of permanence
Confusion over which communication channels to use
Distraction from work, too much socializing
Lack of control of information provided externally and internally
Lack of systems for rewarding networked and team communication and collaboration
To business professionals:
Lack of boundaries between professional and private lives
Lower productivity due to multitasking
Excessive opportunism and self-promotion
Mistakes and incompetence broadcast to larger audiences
Along with the benefits associated with the Social Age, social media also present many challenges and risks (see Table 8.2).

11. Using Social Media Tools for Communication within Organizations
Organize your dashboard to control your communication and information flow. Create a complete and professional profile. Use blogs and status updates for team communication. Use shared files to collaborate. Solve problems with discussion forums. Other social media tools
In this section we briefly touch on several of the social software tools you can expect to use in the workplace: dashboards, user profiles, blogs and status updates, shared files, and discussion forums (usually simply called forums). We focus on these tools for a few reasons. They are among the most widely used and most effective social tools, and they involve significant written communication. Tips for using social media tools include:
Organize your dashboard to control your communication and information flow.
Create a complete and professional profile.
Use blogs and status updates for team communication.
Use shared files to collaborate.
Solve problems with discussion forums.
Use other social media tools.

12. Organize Your Dashboard to Control Your Communication and Information Flow
Nearly all social software systems contain a dashboard, your front page when you log in, which operates as your communication and information hub. In most cases, you can customize the dashboard to display the features that most interest you.
Nearly all social software systems contain a dashboard, your front page when you log in, which operates as your communication and information hub. In most cases, you can customize the dashboard to display the features that most interest you. Think about setting up your dashboard to access messages and information that will help you work efficiently and avoid distractions.

13. Use Blogs and Status Updates for Team Communication (1 of 2)
Posts that are arranged chronologically, similar to a journal format
Excellent opportunities for leaders, managers, and supervisors to keep employees aware of announcements and updates
Microblogs
Also known as status updates
Short comments that typically contain just a few sentences
Tools for broadcasting quick announcements and urgent information
Blogs are posts that are arranged chronologically, similar to a journal format. Traditionally, most blogs have included entries by just one or a few individuals, although many provide the option for reader comments. Blog posts are excellent opportunities for leaders, managers, and supervisors to keep employees aware of announcements and updates.
Status updates (also known as microblogs) are short comments that typically contain just a few sentences. The most popular public social networking platform for microblogs is Twitter. As part of enterprise social networking platforms, status updates are tools for broadcasting quick announcements and urgent information.

14. Use Blogs and Status Updates for Team Communication (2 of 2)
Team blogs
Typically organized around formal work teams
Project blogs
Organized around particular projects that generally involve temporary teams
Organizations are increasingly using team blogs and project blogs (many-to-many communication). Team blogs are typically organized around formal work teams, and project blogs are organized around particular projects that generally involve temporary teams. Team and project blogs are excellent ways to place all of the team’s communications in a single place, such as updates, progress reports, problem-solving discussions, project timelines and goals, announcements, and a variety of other coordination tasks.

15. Figure 8.3 Blog Used for Internal Announcements (1 of 2)
By using the comment features on blogs used for internal announcements, employees can ask questions and share their opinions. This helps create a more interactive, transparent decision-making process within organizations, business units, and teams. Notice in Figure 8.3 how Andrea makes a short announcement via a blog post.
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16. Figure 8.3 Blog Used for Internal Announcements (2 of 2)
Notice in Figure 8.3 that Kip responds to Andrea’s blog post with a question and Andrea quickly responds. This process helps Andrea get input from her colleagues to make better decisions. It also gives all employees the sense that their concerns and opinions matter.
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17. Use Shared Files to Collaborate
Discuss with your team members and colleagues what the protocol should be for sharing and co-editing files. Organize your files by project. Manage permissions. Add comments constructively and carefully read your colleagues’ comments.
Smart teams rely on shared files on a central platform to co-edit and coordinate their work. Most enterprise social networking platforms have shared files platforms that operate much like Google Docs. As you share files with team members and other colleagues to collaborate, consider the following tips:
Discuss with your team members and colleagues what the protocol should be for sharing and co-editing files.
Organize your files by project.
Manage permissions.
Add comments constructively and carefully read your colleagues’ comments.

18. Solve Problems with Discussion Forums
Avoid leading posts. Avoid ignoring competing points of views. Avoid strong, rigid language. Avoid complaining. Avoid blaming. Avoid off-topic points. Avoid excessively short or lengthy posts. Avoid sarcasm.
All enterprise social networking platforms contain discussion forums. These forums allow team members and colleagues to continue holding conversations between meetings. Generally, you should help your teams avoid the following actions that hinder productive team communication:
Avoid leading posts.
Avoid ignoring competing points of views.
Avoid strong, rigid language.
Avoid complaining.
Avoid blaming.
Avoid off-topic points.
Avoid excessively short or lengthy posts.
Avoid sarcasm.

19. Use Strategies to Make Forums Effective
Read your peers’ comments completely and carefully. State the purpose of the forum clearly. Use flexible, open, and inviting language. Build on the ideas of others and pose questions. Show appreciation for your teammates and their ideas. Participate often. Meet in real time for touchy points. Summarize and, as appropriate, identify next steps. Talk with your team about ways to make forums help your decision making and coordination.
You can use a variety of strategies to make forums effective ways for your teams to produce better work. Consider the following strategies:
Read your peers’ comments completely and carefully.
State the purpose of the forum clearly.
Use flexible, open, and inviting language.
Build on the ideas of others and pose questions.
Show appreciation for your teammates and their ideas.
Participate often.
Meet in real time for touchy points.
Summarize and, as appropriate, identify next steps.
Talk with your team about ways to make forums help your decision making and coordination.

20. Figure 8.7 An Effective Example of a Forum Conversation
The subject line for the forum should clearly lay out the question or purpose of the forum. In the effective forum in Figure 8.7, you can see that the forum subject is posed as a clear, specific question. Also, make sure the first few posts clearly describe why the issue is important and provide some background. This motivates other team members to participate.
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21. Write Posts for Your Organization
The primary goal of blogs for organizations is effective public relations (PR). PR is fundamentally about building relationships with employees, customers, communities, the media, and other stakeholders. A primary goal of building these relationships is to improve corporate reputation or credibility.
The primary goal of blogs for organizations is effective public relations (PR). PR is fundamentally about building relationships with employees, customers, communities, the media, and other stakeholders. A primary goal of building these relationships is to improve corporate reputation or credibility.

22. Corporate Reputation Corporate reputation
An intangible asset that allows the company to better manage the expectations and needs of its various stakeholders, creating differentiation and barriers vis-à-vis its competitors
For stakeholders, the intellectual, emotional, and behavioral response as to whether or not the communications and actions of an organization resonate with their needs and interests
Corporate reputation is an asset; it has value. Studies suggest that reputation directly contributes to between 3 and 7.5 percent of annual revenues. For some companies, reputation can increase revenue even more. Second, having a positive reputation is not enough. A company’s reputation must differentiate it from its competitors. Third, a primary goal of public relations is managing the expectations of stakeholders. And most important, through public relations, a company develops a reputation that delivers value to stakeholders based on their own needs and interests.

23. Figure 8.8 A Press-Release Style Blog Post
In the press-release style, which still accounts for most written PR messages, the main components include a headline, dateline, the story, a boilerplate, and contact information. The headline immediately captures the attention of stakeholders. Next, the dateline allows readers to identify when the story occurred. Then, the PR story is written in third person in what is often referred to as inverted pyramid style. You can see an example of this type of blog post in Figure 8.8.
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24. Figure 8.9 An Op-Ed Style Blog Post
Another common approach to PR messages is the op-ed style. Traditionally, a corporate leader would write an opinion piece in first person about a challenge or issue shared by the company and the public. The op-ed style is common on corporate blogs, where business leaders can regularly share their opinions and experiences. You can see an example of this type of op-ed in Figure 8.9.
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25. Guidelines for Using Social Media in the Workplace
Be an active contributor and join communities. Read, listen, and learn. Focus on content. Make your content accessible. Make your messages authentic and friendly. Be responsive and help others. Respect boundaries and avoid oversharing.
Guidelines for using social media in the workplace include:
Be an active contributor and join communities.
Read, listen, and learn.
Focus on content.
Make your content accessible.
Make your messages authentic and friendly.
Be responsive and help others.
Respect boundaries and avoid oversharing.

26. Managing Your Online Reputation
Personal brand
A unique set of professional skills and attributes that others associate with you
Although nearly all business professionals are aware of social networking and the importance of strong online reputations, most are still learning to manage their online presences strategically. In this section, think about the opportunities and risks for you as you develop your online reputation. First, think carefully about developing a personal brand in a professional sense—a unique set of professional skills and attributes that others associate with you.

27. Table 8.3 Developing a Credible Online Reputation (1 of 4)
Personal and Private (for family and friends)
Example: a family blog
Positive Meta Messages
Sought-After Reputations
I’m a good listener (competence)
Communicative, interpersonal skills
I can take care of you (competence)
Dependable, reliable, capable
I hope the best for you (caring)
Considerate, caring, concerned
You can always count on me (caring)
Loyal, committed
You can trust me (character)
Honest, trustworthy
I’m a fun person (character)
Fun-loving, exciting
Whether or not you have intentionally created an online presence, potential and current employers, colleagues, and clients will judge your credibility based on online information about you. Thus, you need to take as much control as you can of your online reputation. As portrayed in Table 8.3, one helpful approach is to consider the meta messages, or overall and underlying messages that others decode from your online communications. These meta messages become one basis for your online reputation.

28. Table 8.3 Developing a Credible Online Reputation (2 of 4)
Professional and Private (for work colleagues)
Example: a corporate blog or wiki
Positive Meta Messages
Sought-After Reputations
I will get the job done (competence)
Competent, skilled, dependable
I am a good team member (competence)
Bring out the best in others
I want you to succeed (caring)
Supportive, caring
I want to work with you (caring)
Team-oriented, collaborative
I will do what I say (character)
Sincere, genuine, integrity
I abide by the rules (character)
Moral, ethical, fair
Table 8.3 uses the example of a corporate blog or wiki to portray the meta messages that others decode from your online communications.

29. Table 8.3 Developing a Credible Online Reputation (3 of 4)
Personal and Public (for society)
Example: social networking website such as Facebook
Positive Meta Messages
Sought-After Reputations
I have certain abilities (competence)
Talented, skilled, capable
I have certain interests (competence)
Determined, focused, driven
I want to share my experiences and ideas (caring)
Open, networked, independent
I want to learn about you (caring)
Inquisitive, curious, considerate
I have certain social values and priorities (character)
Activist, cause-driven, passionate
I live my life according to certain beliefs (character)
Moral, understanding
Table 8.3 uses the example of a social networking site such as Facebook to portray the meta messages that others decode from your online communications.

30. Table 8.3 Developing a Credible Online Reputation (4 of 4)
Professional and Public (for professional peers)
Example: professional social networking website such as LinkedIn
Positive Meta Messages
Sought-After Reputations
I am an expert (competent)
Thought leader, forward-thinking
I want to lead a professional discussion (competent)
Initiative, leadership, open-minded
I want to share my ideas with you (caring)
Generous, giving, collaborative
I want to understand your experiences (caring)
Learning, inquisitive, curious
I am committed to my industry (character)
Professional, passionate, committed
I think my profession should maintain high standards (character)
Ethical, disciplined, consistent
Table 8.3 uses the example of a professional social networking site such as LinkedIn to portray the meta messages that others decode from your online communications.

31. Use Social Media Ethically
Much more than your online reputation is at stake with social media use; the reputation and performance of your company is at stake as well. The line between what you believe is private use of social media and your role as an employee can be murky because your private actions can damage your employer and hurt your career.
Much more than your online reputation is at stake with social media use; the reputation and performance of your company is at stake as well. The line between what you believe is private use of social media and your role as an employee can be murky because your private actions can damage your employer and hurt your career.

32. Chapter Takeaways Characteristics of the Social Age
Effective communication with blogs, wikis, and forums
Blogs for external communication
Online reputation
Ethical use of social media
After studying this chapter, you should understand the following topics: characteristics of the Social Age; effective communication with blogs, wikis, and forums; blogs for external communication; online reputation; and ethical use of social media.

33. Image Description Appendix

34. Figure 8.1 The Evolving Workplace Appendix
The timeline is divided into three eras: the industrial age, the information age, and the social age. There is some overlap between eras.
The industrial age is mid-1700s to It has a hierarchical structure. Its attributes are:
Command-and-control (Little communication between teams and units)
Respect for position
Holding authority is power
Efficiency, competitiveness, and authority are key values.
The information age is 1970 to It has a unit or team structure, sometimes with one central figure in charge. Its attributes are:
Mass two-way communication (Extensive communication between teams and units)
Respect for expertise and position
Holding knowledge is power
Autonomy, innovation, and achievement are key values.
The social age is 2005 to an undefined future date. It has a networked structure, with individuals connected to many other individuals. Its attributes are:
Networked communication (Extensive communication between individuals with shared interests)
Respect for expertise and contributions to the network
Sharing knowledge is power
Transparency, honesty, and camaraderie are key values.
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35. Figure 8.3 Blog Used for Internal Announcements Appendix (1 of 2)
In the blog, the Prestigio marketing team is describing and coordinating activities. “Prestigio Marketing Team” appears at the top. The first post is by Andrea Garcia at 3:18 pm. It is titled “Update about Seasonal Employees.” The tag is “seasonal employees.” There are 2 comments and 6 views. It reads, “Each holiday season we depend on hiring 15 to 20 seasonal employees. Most of our seasonal employees are young adults from the local community. Until about five years ago, we generally received 50 to 60 applications each holiday season. We could easily choose employees we were happy with. We’ve struggled in the past few years to attract applicants. Now we receive just 20 to 30 applications each holiday season. We’ve only hired 10 to 15 of these applicants during the past few holiday periods. This has left us strained and understaffed for some important events. This week I met Jade Kim, president of PT Temp Services. She shared the following pieces of information with me.” The author lists three bullet points. The first bullet points reads, “Nearly all hotels and resorts in our region are facing a similar situation. Compared to five years ago, there are 40 percent fewer 18-to-25-year olds looking for temporary work.”
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36. Figure 8.3 Blog Used for Internal Announcements Appendix (2 of 2)
The second bullet points reads, “Her agency specializes in attracting temporary workers for retail and hospitality businesses.” The third bullet points reads, “She is preparing a proposal to represent the Prestigio for the upcoming hiring season.” The remaining portion of the blog post reads, “I will keep you updated about this situation. I’m cautiously optimistic that PT Temp Services can help us adequately staff our holiday season needs. That should take some stress of each of you.” There are two comments to the blog post. The first comment is by Kip Yamada at 3:22 pm. It reads, “Andrea, in the past, I’ve enjoyed the process of selecting a few of the seasonal workers to work on my projects. If we outsource our hiring to PT, will we still be able to provide any input into which seasonal employees are selected?” The second comment is by Andrea in response to Kip at 3:26 pm. It reads, “Kip, that’s an important question. My understanding is that we can ask PT to do all screening and hiring OR we can have them do only the screening and we make the final decisions. I will follow up to better understand our options.”
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37. Figure 8.7 An Effective Example of a Forum Conversation
A forum post contains the following noted elements:
Open, nonleading subject line. Kip Yamada’s post has a subject line reading, What should our policy be for front desk employees providing refunds?
Kip’s post reads, our current policy is that front desk employees must get managers’ authorizations for any refund requests over $50. I think we should raise this amount to $500. Several front desk employees have told me they want this latitude. I also know of several cases where guests with legitimate refund requests became so upset with the lengthy refund process that they moved some of their business to other hotels. Nancy thinks the current policy is working well. She’ll share her reasoning in a post to this forum. Nancy and I would like your input about this policy. This is an effective element because there is a clear statement of the issue and its background; there is concise and constructive language; and there is recognition of and appreciation for other views.
Nancy Jeffreys is the next poster. Her post reads, I agree with Kip that we can’t afford to lose valued guests who make reasonable requests. I think it’s worth revisiting our current policy. As a matter of background, we created the policy for the following reasons: Several years ago we concluded that roughly 70 percent of refund requests over 50 dollars are not justified. Generally, managers are trained to handle these rejections. When we talked to all front desk employees several years ago, the majority preferred the policy of deferring to managers. They thought some guests accepted rejections more easily from managers.
As I mentioned, I think it’s worth revisiting the policy, so please share your views and experiences. This is an effective element because there is an appreciation for the goals of others; there is a factual, objective rationale for the policy; and there is an openness to reviewing the policy.
Barbara Brookshire responds, Thank you, Kip and Nancy, for sharing this information about the policy. I think we’re trying to find a balance between accommodating guests who have reasonable complaints and politely rejecting guests who do not have reasonable complaints. As far as front desk employees, I think there’s been several changes since a few years ago. Many of the front desk employees now aspire to manager positions, so they… (in the graphic, the post is cut off for length). This is an effective element because it contains candid and constructive comments by colleagues.
The final post is from Kip. It reads, Thank you to each of you for offering your input. I suggest we spend about 15 to 20 minutes at our next marketing meeting to finalize our ideas about this policy. Based on our discussion, here are the major points of agreement: We should consider raising the amount front desk employees can refund without authorization to between $150 and $200. We should consider providing more training to front desk employees about handling disgruntled guests. We should informally survey front desk employees about our ideas.
This is an effective element because it contains a summary of key points and next steps.
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38. Figure 8.8 A Press-Release Style Blog Post Appendix
The post’s headline reads, The Prestigio Market Restaurant Adds Spice to the Menu. It is dated July 18, 2016, and indicates it is posted by Kip Yamada. A graphic of multiple spices appears near the top. The text of the post reads: The award-winning Prestigio Market Restaurant just turned up the heat! Head Chef Fiona Nickerson unveiled three new menu items last week, each featuring a new combination of spices. Chef Fiona spent the past six months working on these new menu items. The dishes include Coconut Curry Chicken, Szechuan Tofu, and Jamaican Jerk Wild Wings. I asked Chef Fiona about trends in spicy foods. She explained, We’ve seen an explosion of interest in spicy foods in the past few years. Not just jalapeños and red chile peppers but also anchos, Szechuan peppers, turmeric, coriander, and cumin. Chef Fiona explained that each new dish is a fusion of ethnic dishes with local tastes. Coconut Curry Chicken combines Bengali- style curry with our area’s famous love of coconuts. Szechuan Tofu is inspired by a Chinese-style bean curd dish with a mix of locally grown green beans and peppers. The restaurant has always been famous for its wings. Chef Fiona beamed as she talked about the new Jamaican Jerk Wild Wings. “I think our wing lovers are going to love this dish. We marinate these wings overnight with a combination of jalapeños, thyme, black pepper, nutmeg, and a few other spices. It literally took us six months of daily trials to get this one just right!” Last night I joined Louise and Jim Adams. Louise offered this assessment of the Coconut Curry Chicken, “The flavors are delicious. I loved it. Just the right kick! Jim exclaimed his verdict on the Jamaican Jerk Wild Wings, I try the wings wherever I go. I have never tasted anything quite like these wings. Just awesome!” These new menu items are July Special Items, so they’ll remain at 20 percent off for the rest of the month. To get a sneak peak, watch Chef Fiona work her magic on these dishes in this YouTube clip. The blog post ends with boilerplate language reading: The Prestigio Market Restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and serves a variety of delicious and healthy menu items. All fruits and vegetables are organic and sourced within 50 miles of the restaurant. You can contact Kip Yamada to arrange business events at the restaurant or contact the reservation desk for small group reservations. Live links appear throughout the blog post for the restaurant, the menu and menu items, July special items, the YouTube clip, contacting Kip, and contacting the reservation desk.
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39. Figure 8.9 An Op-Ed Style Blog Post Appendix
The op-ed blog’s headline reads, Green Meetings Make Us Leaner and Improve the Bottom Line. The post is dated July 25, 2016, and is by Andrea Garcia and Jeff Anderton. A photo accompanies the post.
The post reads: Meeting planners often ask us, “Do green meetings really make a difference?” One planner even commented to us, “I wonder if green meetings are like so-called ‘low-fat foods.’ They sound great but I’m still overweight.”
We started implementing green meetings at the Prestigio a few years ago, and we can say definitively, yes, green meetings make a difference. As far as environmental impacts, we’re leaner than ever. We’re also passing major savings on to conference organizers.
With just a few simple measures, here’s what we accomplished last year with green meetings:
We served water in pitchers rather than bottles. We estimate we saved nearly 40,000 gallons of water as a result.
We helped meeting planners, at their request, use apps and e-reader formatted programs rather than printed conference schedules. We estimate we saved roughly 800 trees.
We ensured that over 90 percent of produce in our restaurants was grown within 50 miles. We estimate we significantly reduced our carbon footprint associated with food deliveries.
We’ve already started additional steps to make more dramatic impacts. Within the next year, we will replace all our vans with hybrid versions and require our vendors to meet green standards. Within two to three years, our hotel will be LEED certified. We anticipate overall drops in carbon emissions by almost 30 percent.
Some of these measures save money and others cost more. Overall, these measures drop conference costs significantly. Last year we priced green conferences seven percent lower than non-green conferences. In fact, we estimate that the average green conference saved organizers more than $18,000.
Yes, green meetings make a difference. They’re better for the environment and better for the pocketbook.
The post concludes with boilerplate text containing live links to conferences and events and Barbara Brookshire: The Prestigio Hotel & Resort is a high-end resort committed to excellence in conferences, events, and other special occasions in an environmentally friendly, responsible way. You can learn more about conferences and events by contacting Barbara Brookshire.
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40. Business Communication Chapter 8
The End