Dozens of businessmen and women debated whether social media was a waste of time at an event organised by the Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce.
The panellists were Nick Barlow, from Small Batch Coffee, digital business adviser Adrian Swinscoe and sustainable business consultant Daren Howarth.
Mr Barlow said: “For us, social media wasn’t a choice. It was a necessity. There was no chance of a marketing budget.
“It’s like extended word of mouth. It’s the most direct way of communicating with customers and potential customers.”
Mr Howarth asked: “Is social media a waste of time for business? Or is business a waste of time for social media?
“It depends. Is it just another tool in your marketing box?”
And he challenged the audience at City College Brighton and Hove in Pelham Street, Brighton, this evening (Wednesday 30 April): “Why would anyone want to follow you on Facebook?”
Some of his business partners didn’t bother with websites, he said. They relied only on social media.
Mr Swinscoe said: “People who think social media is a waste of time for business are probably doing it wrong.”
I agree it is GREAT for busy people , business etc etc .
WHAT amazes ME is the amount of money BHCC has spent TRYING to engage the thousands who live in the 12,500 council properties to use social media ….
The multiple un-linked computer systems that only few can access .. Emails going missing or ” going to the wrong inbox ” . I have even been told that ” obviously , sir , you sent the email in the wrong format ” .
What ACTUALLY happens is that ALL bhcc employees enjoy FREE WIFI in the COUNCIL buildings , free tech and laptops and tablets and stuff YET HOUSING use outdated equipment and software BUT expect US to use social media with THEM when they CANT even reply to a letter within THEIR time criteria OR andwer a simple question over the phone as ” it is’t on MY system ” .
So , in summing up , SOCIAL MEDIA is brilliant for companies . FOR many council departments , it is a means to doing the same lack-lustre job to the same low standard BUT WITH THE LATEST TABLET .
The next lot we vote in better start spending on HOVE and BRIGHTON in that order .
NOT ON MORE COUNCIL TECH that they cant or dont use .
That is OUR money in Kings House people , AND OUR OUTDATED Hardware !!!!
That is why they wanna flog it . imagine the tec they will be throwing out !!!
I bet EVERY employee gets a free laptop , coffee machine AND chair when they sell up …
So depressing . I’m gonna hit the whisky . Luv lemme
I agree it is GREAT for busy people , business etc etc .
WHAT amazes ME is the amount of money BHCC has spent TRYING to engage the thousands who live in the 12,500 council properties to use social media ….
The multiple un-linked computer systems that only few can access .. Emails going missing or ” going to the wrong inbox ” . I have even been told that ” obviously , sir , you sent the email in the wrong format ” .
What ACTUALLY happens is that ALL bhcc employees enjoy FREE WIFI in the COUNCIL buildings , free tech and laptops and tablets and stuff YET HOUSING use outdated equipment and software BUT expect US to use social media with THEM when they CANT even reply to a letter within THEIR time criteria OR andwer a simple question over the phone as ” it is’t on MY system ” .
So , in summing up , SOCIAL MEDIA is brilliant for companies . FOR many council departments , it is a means to doing the same lack-lustre job to the same low standard BUT WITH THE LATEST TABLET .
The next lot we vote in better start spending on HOVE and BRIGHTON in that order .
NOT ON MORE COUNCIL TECH that they cant or dont use .
That is OUR money in Kings House people , AND OUR OUTDATED Hardware !!!!
That is why they wanna flog it . imagine the tec they will be throwing out !!!
I bet EVERY employee gets a free laptop , coffee machine AND chair when they sell up …
So depressing . I’m gonna hit the whisky . Luv lemme