Social media has become a fixture on communication agendas. But according to a new survey by Minneapolis-based Russell Herder and Ethos Business Law, social media use is also generating its share of corporate heartburn. Concerns regarding social media use were acknowledged by eight in 10 businesses participating in the national study of management, marketing and human resource executives.

• 51% of executives fear social media could be detrimental to employee productivity

• 49% believe social media could damage company reputation

Executives surveyed who are not using social media on a corporate basis say non-implementation are primarily due to concern about confidentiality or security issues, employee productivity. Some 51% say they simply don’t know enough about it to judge.

Despite these apprehensions, social networking is viewed as a key marketing and promotion strategy. Eight in 10 said social media could enhance relationships with customers/clients (81%) and build brand reputation (81%).

• 40% technically block their employees from accessing social media while at work

• 26% use social media to further corporate objectives

• 70% plan to increase the use of these new opportunities

Remarkably few efforts are being made to mitigate perceived risks. Only one in three businesses surveyed has a policy in place to govern social media use, and only ten percent said they have conducted relevant employee training.

“Rather than bypass the social media opportunity, organizations should embrace it while taking steps to educate their team about internal guidelines and best practices,” said Carol Russell, CEO of Russell Herder. “Companies of all sizes should begin to define their strategy regarding social media, and most importantly, the rules for employee engagement. By doing so, management can take advantage of the benefits offered by these new communication channels, while mitigating undue risk.”

Ethos President David Baer, who advises companies on business law issues, agrees: “Social media is a far different animal than traditional technology, so a company’s current policies on IT matters are usually not sufficient. Plus, such guidelines must take into consideration the form, substance, philosophy and culture of the organization.”

What is your company’s stand on the issue?

By Serenah McKay / Rogers

Today’s technology-driven culture offers many ways to stay in touch with people, get all the latest news and stay up-to-date with developments in our industry. We can find virtually anything we need to know in seconds, and be available to customers and employees 24/7.

This high-tech lifestyle is convenient and can be loads of fun. It can also leave people feeling overwhelmed. There’s simply far more information coming at us than most of us can process or retain.

This is a common experience, said Tony Miltich, co-owner of Learning Rx Centers in Bentonville and Fayetteville. Learning Rx is a “brain training center” where cognitive skills training helps students of any age to learn faster and easier, by identifying and strengthening the skills behind how we learn. Non-academic training procedures strengthen the brain’s core mental abilities such as processing speed, attention, memory, auditory and visual processing, and reasoning.

Learning RX will soon be offering a new program for adults who work in “brain-intensive” jobs that require multitasking and keeping track of information. Part of the problem, says Miltich, is that when we get into adulthood, we sometimes let our brains start “coasting,” compared to when we were kids in school and learning all the time.

But, he says, it is entirely possible for adults to not only stay smart as they age, but actually get smarter, even raise their IQ. Miltich suggests two things people can do to keep their minds sharp no matter their age.

1. Get in the Game – First, stay active in something that’s a mental challenge, whether it’s a game, playing a musical instrument, learning a language, or learning something new at work.

“The brain is like a muscle,” Miltich says. “If you don’t use it, it will get flabby.”

2. Exercise – The other part of the formula for staying smart. “That stimulates hormones that keep the brain well. Exercise is something that’s been recognized lately as necessary to keep our brains, as well as our hearts and lungs, healthy.”

Miltich equates a workout at the Learning Rx to a workout at a fitness center “from the neck up.” When you join a fitness center, they first assess where you are and what areas you need to work on.

“At Learning Rx, we do that with tests that measure cognitive abilities such as memory, attention and reasoning. Then we have a personal trainer who works one-on-one to enhance or develop those skills,” says Miltich, who adds that, like a fitness center, the program holds you accountable and makes sure you’re following proper technique.

Serenah McKay is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Rogers. Contact her at serenahmckay@hotmail.com.