Another interesting and new way that internal communications is being used within technology is through iPhone applications. As noted in the presentation that was linked with this assignment, Kraft foods has an app for employee communications, but they are not the only ones to discover this tool. On the Apple website, there is an entire page for business collaboration apps. Applications such as the Cisco WebEx Meeting Center allow employees to attend meetings from their phone will full visuals and audio conferencing. Meetings can even be scheduled straight from the iPhone through this application. Users can view who is attending and even create individual chats with employees in attendance. This is just one of the many application tools offered that allow employees to stay connected outside the office.

Although many of these social media tools have increased employee networking and satisfaction, they still do not replace face-to-face communication. These tools should be used to compliment and add to a company’s efforts, but they should not completely replace the physical communication outreach that makes employees feel valued and truly connected. If social media and face-to-face communication can integrate appropriately, a company will be more likely to discover a high degree of success.

Dell also uses blogging as a tool. They have 9 official internal blogs just for employee networking and to send out internal updates. They also have hundreds more team blogs created outside of the official nine. Another type of blogging they actively use for internal communications is microblogging. They have a twitter account called “TeamDell” that was created specifically to follow employees on the Dell Team and unite them in social media interaction. Employees have created counts with their name inserted in @____atdell to distinguish their identity. Dell is not the first company to hop on this trend and they will definitely not be the last. Employees can now be connected personally and porfessionally through social media.

Lastly, as I briefly mentioned in the last post, public relations practitioners have the ability to implement tactics that create interest publics who may not be directly related to the company. In this example, a good PR tactic would be to develop some type of “green” label or logo on the new bottles that communicates the company’s integration. Then, a consumer may notice the new bottle and be more inclined to buy it because they agree with the mission of helping the environment. This is just another way for PR professionals to implement ideas that reflect the company and interest their consumers. Coca-Cola, one of the largest corporations, has done a terrific job of executing corporate social responsibility and aligning it with their success.

Another blog I found answers this same question and provides the example of Ben & Jerry’s to expand on the important role of a PR practitioner in CSR. They key factor here is two words: communication management. As the blog says, the PR practitioner’s role should be to effectively communicate what a company is implementing or supporting to its consumers and other publics. Also, the PR practitioner should make sure the messages being sent by their company are coherent with that company’s mission statement or values. This blogger uses Ben & Jerry’s in relation to children as an example, but other examples might be as simple as a architectural firm implement “green” design as a part of their values and contribution to the environment. A company’s message needs to always match up with its CSR tactics, a mission that falls into part of the PR practitioner’s responsibilities. A main focus for the PR practitioner overall is to make sure their efforts to gain CSR don’t go unnoticed and are reflective of the organization.

Another interesting example that relates to PR and the law is the commercial ad campaign by Verizon Wireless that is currently running. The AT&T network gets bashed for not having a large network to accompany its flashy products, such as the iPhone. Supposedly AT&T is trying to claim libel in the case, but Verizon Wireless seems confident that they cannot fulfill the burden of proof because the information in their ads is factual. From what I have found so far, the ads have not been able to be stopped for that same truth. I think this is a smart attack made by Verizon because they don’t attack the products of AT&T; they only prove the inadequate service provided. This is smart planning because later on they may want to take on the iPhone in a contract, so relations with Apple are still important to keep positive.

A new and innovative example of a company using PR to align values with their employees and work environment would be Facebook. The new facebook headquarters and interior design methods are actual PR tactics. The corporation invested in a space that would facilitate 700+ of their employees, so that all the seperate offices could finally come together in “one social network.” Are you catching the reflecting values yet? Well it doesn’t stop there. The entire design process was a collaboration of the actual design team and Facebook’s employees. Every design decision was made according to response from employee polls and an advisory board. Employees were designated as essential players in all of the design tactics by being inquired and updated on construction decisions. And the best part is, that their ideas were actually implemented. They weren’t sending their opinions out just to hear an echo, but to see their values reflected in their every day work space. Interior design plans were formed around the company’s social networking values; settings and offices were created to be community friendly. Also, gourmet food is available to employees at all times–another PR tactic to show the company’s consideration and appreciation for its diligent workers.

Overall, yes this is PR. Facebook sets a great example of how strong employee relation tactics can maintain and increase loyalty, leading to long-term corporate success.