List and Describe Key Components That Should Be Included in Any

question 14

Short Answer

List and describe key components that should be included in any firm's social media policy.
With the growing influence of social networks and other forms of social interaction over the Internet, establishing corporate policies and setting employee expectations is an imperative for all organizations. The employees who don't understand the impact of social media on the firm can do serious damage to their employers and their careers.
Many experts suggest that a good social media policy needs to be three things: "short, simple, and clear". Most guidelines emphasize the "three Rs" of representation, responsibility, and respect:
$\bullet$ Representation: Employees need clear and explicit guidelines on expectations for social media engagement. Firms may also want to provide guidelines on initiating and conducting dialog, when to respond online, and how to escalate issues within the organization.
$\bullet$ Responsibility: Employees need to take responsibility for their online actions. Firms must set explicit expectations for disclosure, confidentiality and security, and provide examples of engagement done right, as well as what is unacceptable. An effective social voice is based on trust, so accuracy, transparency, and accountability must be emphasized. Consequences for violations should be clear.
$\bullet$ Respect: Firms need to reinforce in their employees, the need to honor differences in customers and to act ethically and responsibly.
Policies also need to have teeth. Violators should know the consequences of breaking firm rules and policies should be backed by action. However, trying to micromanage employee social media use is probably not the answer.
Training should also be provided to employees to cover information security and potential threats. Social media has become a magnet for phishing, virus distribution, and other nefarious online activity. The social media team will need to monitor threats and spread the word on how employees can surf safe and surf smart.

---

Definitions:

DSM-IV

The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association that outlines mental health conditions.

DSM-IV

The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association for diagnosing mental conditions.

DSM-IV

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, a handbook used by healthcare professionals as the authoritative guide to diagnosing mental disorders.

Axis IV

A classification used in previous versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to identify psychosocial and environmental problems relevant to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of disorders.