Providers of technology services and consulting focus on three core priorities, namely:

• Consistent, quality solution delivery

• Client and employee care

• Brand and reputation

Developing a track record of quality delivery, attracting, servicing and retaining clients and personnel and being credible and known for a niche in the market are paramount to success.

At the end of the day, people are the product. Helping tell their story through experiences solving challenging customer problems represents authenticity in messaging. People buy from people, and your employees are your best brand ambassadors.

Unfortunately, many technology consulting companies are late adopters of the social media and business communication skills required to achieve the above objectives in today's connected economy. Delivering thought leadership, effective employee and customer communications and impactful branding activities suffer as a result.

Good News: Most of your competition are not early social business adopters.

The Social Moment: The moment when an organization realizes that social business is mainstream and integral to its future success.

Firms that have had their 'Social Moment' are beginning their social business journey by outfitting their teams with the ability to:

• activate and optimize their social identity,

• grow and deepen networks,

• become original content creators,

• develop online audience, reputation, authority and influence, and

• make it part of their daily business behavior.

Discovering social business value in employee relationships requires an investment in the skills, knowledge and understanding of the employees. The investment must also be authentic, transparent and personal with no expectation of reciprocity.

By training in the core social media skills and business communications needed to compete and be effective, companies see many benefits including improved employee engagement and employee advocacy on behalf of the brand.

Social Business Statistics

• Brand messages are re-shared 24x more frequently when distributed by employees vs brand. (MSLGroup)

• 77% of buyers are more likely to buy from a company whose CEO uses social media. (MSLGroup)

• Only 33% of buyers trust the brand whilst 90% of customers trust product or service recommendations from people they know. (Nielsen Global Online Consumer Survey)

Technology services firms that truly embrace social business will not just lead, but may interrupt their markets. The reach, engagement and influence of the employees is crucial to the future success of an organization.