To Like or Not to Like...

I was tricked into attending a "social media" workshop today.  I am always up for a new task or project, so when I saw the invite pop up on my outlook calendar late last week, I promptly accepted it, overlooking the three and a half hour time commitment.  Maybe I will be part of a guinea pig type focus group or my opinion will be solicited on some already implemented web based branding tool, I thought.  I am good at listening, contributing my thoughts and playing devil's advocate - no biggie, I said.

Well - guess again.  Ironically, for a person with no Facebook or Twitter account, no i gadgets and limited Linked In skill, I was scheduled to be a part of a "social media" team that would brainstorm and recommend the need for our company's entry into the social media world.  As I read the agenda and scanned the room for familiar faces, I began to think "is this a joke", does anyone in the room, know my expertise ends with email and online shopping?  Not sure if I am hurting or helping this group right now.  But, after calming down a bit, I figured, just because I am not a user, I at least recognize the value in a company having a strong presence or brand and social media can help us do just that. 

After the ice was broken, I became a part of a very progressive conversation about how and why social media is being used from a major corporation standpoint.  It's not all about liking, following or tweeting one's every move or or thought, but about connecting with customers and clients and trying to better understand needs, build a rapport, and deliver great customer service. 

Now, this committee still has a long way to go, to actually identify the type of social media presence that would be beneficial to the company and our customers, followed by executive approval, but we did agree that social media can bring an updated twist to a long standing company philosophy: customer satisfaction.

Not so happy Monday

So today was the first day of work without my colleague, who resigned and her last day was Friday.  Although she left to go take on a great opportunity, I still wish she was right here beside me cracking jokes, lending me 25 cents for the vending machine and working with me to knock out implementation projects.  We were freakin' rock stars with our team work!

If you've ever made a good friend at work, you would know exactly how my day went - tremendously sad.  Last night I dreaded the fact that I would come into work and not find my BFF in the cubicle next to me.  No one to reciprocate my good morning, no one to recap the weekend, no one to mock our boss with (and this was the most important daily ritual we shared).   

I used to think that the friends I already had (a whopping) were all the friends I needed.  My best friend since 7th grade and then my college girls who double as my sorority sisters.  Yup, 3 that's it.  But boy, was I surprised when 2 years ago, I encountered a new good friend in of all places - WORK. 


Don't underestimate the genuine friendships and relationships that you can develop at work.  You are spending 40 plus hours a week with them, which is more than I am spending currently with my family who all live out of state along with my 3 besties! 

At the end of the day I spoke to my now former colleague, but even better my friend.  She had a great first day and since her new job is less than 3 miles away, I will still get to see her through the week.

Accept that "Happy Hour" Invite!

You may not be a drinker, but "Happy Hour" is not only for drinking. Next time your coworkers or boss (if you can stand him or her) invite you out for an after work social session, take them up on their offer. You never know how much you have in common or how much fun you can have interacting with them outside of your office environment.

Exchanging information about upcoming leads or promotion opportunities or collaborating on ideas for future projects is one way to spend the evening. But, if you are lucky like me, you will have bonded with one or two of your colleagues and can spend the evening catching up on the latest movies, fashion and of course MEN! They don't have to turn into your "bestie" but it doesn't hurt to add to your circle of friends or network.