Survey of the social networks with strengths and weaknesses for business application. 2/09

1. Monica Xxxx, Sastry Xxxx, Ruth Xxxx,
Mary Xxxx, Christopher Xxxx.
February 24, 2009
Management Information Systems
Dr. Xxxx, XXX-XXXXX

2. Internet or mobile-based social spaces
where people can connect,
communicate,
create and share content
with others. 1

3. Social Networks - Types
Profile Virtual
Centered on information On-line, virtual interaction
about members 

 Content
Centered around specific
content

All logos are registered trademarks

4. Social Networks – Statistics 2
ftom Joshua Levine, Business Gets Social:
Corporate Usage of Web 2.0 Explodes,
January 08, 2008

5. Social Networks - Function
 Common elements include:
Member profile
Ability to add members to contact list
Supported interaction between members
 Must join the “network”
 Members share a common interest

6. Social Networks - Function
Business opportunities include :
Target marketing
Focused customer service
Improved employee communication channels and productivity
May be used for screening candidates for employment

7. Facebook - Infrastructure
Founded in February 2004
 A social utility that helps people communicate more efficiently
with their friends, family and coworkers
Digital mapping of a person’s social connections
Utilizes technologies that facilitate the sharing of information
No cost to sign up and people can interact with those they
know and trust

8. Facebook - Functionality
Core site functions include “Profile,” “Friends,” “Networks”
and “Inbox”
Includes standard tools such as “Photos,” “Notes,” “Groups,”
“Events” and “Posted items”
You can create an application, or upload an application
created by another Facebook member

9. Facebook - Design Technology
Uses the scripting language PHP to build dynamic pages
One of the largest MySQL installations using multi-language
RPC framework
Easily connects multiple subsystems written in any language,
running on any platform
It is the largest global user of the open-source caching system
memcached

10. Facebook - Interface Design
Offers a development platform enabling companies the
chance to deeply integrate with its website
(www.facebook.com) and access millions of users
Top priority is privacy, giving users the tools to control the
flow of their information

11. Social Networks - Sample
The Humane Society, the nation’s largest animal protection
organization
The Humane Society uses YouTube, Facebook and MySpace
to post updates, blogs and videos
As part of its Facebook page
 Visitors learn about activities through video and blog posts
As part of its MySpace page visitors
 Donate using a widget
 Sign a petition to end the slaughter of horses
 Read about the recall of pet food on its blog

12. Social Networks - Strengths
Build a strong community of customers/supporters and
employees
Market feedback/data collected by Facebook
Targeted advertising
Can create a business profile and special promotions
Test market new products or ideas

13. Social Networks - Strengths
Customer service
Provide support forum for customers
Post how-to videos for customers/users
Can use multiple mediums to promote brand awareness
Facebook, MySpace and YouTube are among the top ten most-
trafficked sites in the world and in the top five in the US with
90 million active users sited for Facebook3

14. Social Networks - Weaknesses
Sites are uncensored/open forum
Security
Competitors malicious activity
Dedicated resources of time and money
Uncertain future

15. Recommendation
Define clear strategies and objectives
Measure and understand results
Research and test the waters first
Monitor site
Gain a real understanding of the medium
Use tools such as Google Analytics or StatCounter to track
traffic volume
Face to face is still more productive for internal business
communication

16. Thank You - Questions
Footnotes
1. What are Social Networking Services, retrieved from
http://fraser.typepad.com/socialtech/files/social-networking-overview.pdf.
2. Social network statistics J. Levine (1/8/2008) retrieved from
http://seekingalpha.com/article/59369-business-gets-social-corporate-
web-2-0-usage-is-booming
3. Social network usage retrieved from Facebook fact sheet and
http://www.alexa.com/site/ds/top_sites?ts_mode=global&lang=none