At EcSELL's last sales management webinar, we began with a four minute video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8) that was orchestrated by Erik Qualman, founder of Socialnomics.com. The video highlighted, with startling statistics, the growth of social media in our society along with some of its impact.
What I took away from the mind boggling numbers is the amazing need for people to "belong and connect". Maslow was pretty accurate with his hierarchy of needs, but I had no idea how dead on that ol' boy was. Networking, being a part of a community, can be a benefit to the participants in many ways, especially if the community's purpose is to promote or build a greater good.
Don't get me wrong, companies should not promote social networking for their associates while at the office, but I do believe there is a place for "professional networking". Linked In? Nah. Facebook? Nope. While those have a place with your talent identification and acquisition programs, I'm referring to a professional network that can share best practices and solve real business problems for your sales management team, and hence, your sales department. Do your sales managers have a resource that can help them drive greater productivity? Check out what the EcSELL community can do for your sales management team.
