Later born Millennial also known as Generation Y or the Social media Generation are entering the work force and bringing significant change with them, thanks to their upbringing alongside the likes of MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.
The most obvious changes are the use of technologies like social networks, mobile devices, instant messaging and the connection to the online world. For many of them, social media has always existed. But they can bring value beyond a better understanding of computers and the internet?
The Social Media Generation was born thinking outside of the box. When they come to work, they are more accustoming to using a wide variety of online tools to help solve new and unfamiliar problems in their job. If the workplace does not provide them with the social media tools they need, it can undermine a Millennial’s potential productivity.
It also sends a signal to the new employee that the employer does not adapt to change or welcome new ideas. For a Millennial, being connected to their social networks can mean having a world of knowledge at their fingertips.
Millennial value their freedom and have been noted to value workplace flexibility over pay. They also put a high level of focus on building real relationships, quality reputations, sustainability, social engagement, and becoming a transparent organization. Theories point to organizations who can’t adapt to this new culture will shrink and will not prosper in the long run.
Social Media has raised Millennial with a social and global awareness greater than that of any previous generation.
There is uncertainty about the future of social media in the business world. Below paragraphs examine future possibilities in social media. Will Facebook, YouTube and Twitter continue to dominate or will social media become more fragmented and specialized? What impact will the Internet of Things have on social media for business performance and finally, what impact will social media have on Social Good?
Social media has moved from just networking to a way of life. We are now a technologically driven age and currently at the cusp of social media. We are able to determine that platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and the list goes on and on have taken the world by storm.
Personal and business relationships have evolved and flourished based on the power of social media. It is my belief that social media will not only be essential, it will be everything and directly determined by the next generation of youths.
The expanding growth in the use of Social Media platforms have created new opportunities for products and services as consumers are now demanding a faster more ‘real-time’ response. The businesses which are listening and are quick to innovate with new product enhancements gain market share when recommended by consumers on the various platforms. Video and mobile devices are new boundaries and apps for smart phones; flash broadband makes it easier for people to get connected faster. Privacy will continue to be an issue for users of social networking.
I believe Social Media will continue to be used to make the world a better place. It is a powerful tool for organizations to reach and mobilize crowds to benefit the many good causes in the world.
E.g. – The environment, local communities as well as major world events that require immediate action.
There are different views about whether the existing data giants, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube will grow stronger or whether smaller data platforms will compete for targeted groups for constructive and effective conversations. As social media becomes progressively more important our current laws of privacy, image rights and anything that we post will need to be changed. Online bullying, identity theft the list goes on.
It is my conclusion that Social media is the way of the future, because we will be more motivated to use our technical devices 24/7 which will lead to any kind of breaking news or important information of our interest being at our finger tips. This will also be an excellent marketing tool as it will be a seamless integration into our daily lives.