Communications via professional virtual community

You are likely on at least one social network to stay in touch with friends or relatives. There is another kind of network on the rise which is exclusively for professionals. This networking site focuses on the use of online social networks or social relations among people who share business interests and/or activities. It encompasses modifications to corporate intranets (referred to as social intranets) and other classic software platforms used by large companies to organize their communication, collaboration and other aspects of their intranets. Think of it as a professional virtual community.

Social networking sites started to form in the 1990s; they also provided easy-to-use publishing tools along with free web space. Biznik is a community of entrepreneurs and small businesses, a good example of a professional virtual community dedicated to helping each other succeed.  It is a local, independent entrepreneurial community where collaboration beats competition.

Businesses eventually realized that social networking websites could provide a fast and efficient way of marketing. Social media websites are great places for businesses to reach their customers, and the environment can provide a means for growing a business. In 2005, as social networking websites were becoming more and more popular, Myspace had more page views than Google. Many companies are starting to implement social networks to promote collaboration amongst their employees. An enterprise social network is an internal workplace that streamlines communication among co-workers. They give employees a sense of online community and help build connections between departments, especially within larger corporations.

Deloitte predicted over 90% of Fortune 500 companies will have partially or fully implemented an ESN by the end of 2013. Different companies have embraced social networking and they are creating their own internal social networking sites. IBM is one example and they have created the Beehive research project, based on their Lotus Connections product. Many companies are encouraging enterprise social networking among their employees so they can connect with other employees, help people socialize when they take a break, or even help contribute to other work-related issues. enterprise social network is also generally thought to include the use of a standard external social networking service to generate visibility for an enterprise.

An ESN provides an overview of what's happening within your network in a visually dynamic, infographic-style layout. Enterprise apps like Salesforce, SAP and Oracle are integrated on some social networks, as well as personal apps like Box, Evernote. Tibbr recently integrated third-party meeting and video chat service, so you can use Skype, WebEx or Google Hangouts directly through the Tibbr interface. It’s a professional virtual community. with easy access to all the tolls you will need in your everyday interactions with fellow community members.