Social media provides users with information via blogs, podcasts, and webinars. Users write reviews or create forums, wikis, and videos. Users connect with each other and providers through virtual worlds and social network communities.

“Social networking has caused a fundamental and transformational shift in the way that people are connecting, knowledge is being shared and information is flowing,” says Charles B. Kreitzberg, Ph.D., CEO of Cognetics, a firm dealing with the human aspects of computer technology.

About 50% of large companies and 75% of small ones (fewer than 500 employees) are using social media of all types. Of those, it is estimated that 40-60% have their own social network. Microsoft has the Town Square, IBM the Blue Pages, and Best Buy the Blue Shirt Nation.

“Engage me, inform me, and entertain me,” says Bernie Borges, author of Marketing 2.0: Bridging the Gap Between Seller and Buyer on the Social Web. “But don’t make me read an ad; don’t send me email news. Companies are made up of people; be social with your existing and prospective customers.”

I wear multiple 'hats'. I am an organizational consultant, a professor, and a student working on a second Ph.D. As I am writing this paper it is a special month for me as a professor and a student. It is the time of year when universities typically have their recognition ceremonies, honoring their students who have excelled in academics and community service. I am doubly honored to be able to see some of my own students receive recognition this month and to be receiving awards myself. Both experiences are the result of hard work and sacrifice.

The students who are recognized by their universities with special certificates and invitations to honor societies are certainly a minority of the student population. Why is that? Some may attribute it to lack of motivation or even a lack of ability. Certainly these are factors. However, I think for many the problem is lack of knowledge; knowledge of how to succeed. Many students simply do not know the steps to follow in order to succeed in the academic environment. Without this knowledge, most students' performance will be mediocre at best.

Numerous students have asked me how to succeed in their classes. This is a question I can easily answer. The path to academic success is not a secret. The same holds true for business. As an organizational consultant I have often been asked: "How do I take my company to the 'Best in Class' level?". Once again, this is a question I can answer. The path to business success is not a secret. In fact, I can answer the question with just one word...

The National Business Research Institute (“NBRI”), one of the most respected survey research firms in the world, unveiled Survey Software Online, an innovative online survey creation system. Survey Software Online, or SSO, went live on April 2nd and is designed to allow small to mid-sized businesses to create, deploy, and analyze customer and employee surveys in-house.

Survey Software Online can be used to quickly and easily conduct a full-scale survey and provide the reporting and analysis required to “read the minds” of employees and customers.

Addison, TX - March 12, 2009:

Time, labor, and security manufacturer, Lathem has selected NBRI to conduct a customer satisfaction survey.  With a wide variety of products ranging from door locks to digital time clocks and employee tracking software, Lathem seeks to improve their customer’s experience with direct feedback.

NBRI, the National Business Research Institute, a leading research firm in the area of organizational psychology will conduct the study in 2009.  By studying the foundations of customer satisfaction, the NBRI survey and analyses will identify action items enabling Lathem to increase its customers’ satisfaction and intent to return.

In general, NBRI has not seen a decline in employee engagement across our client studies.  Steady and/or increased engagement scores are what we would expect to see during a period when employee priorities are changing from 'increased compensation' to 'stable compensation and job security.'   Most employees recognize that their job stability is directly tied to the success of the company.  As such, we expect motivation and productivity to increase.