Sunday, April 20, 2008

Where to Draw the Line?

My office has created a Facebook page. We're a non-profit and looking to engage the GenX/ Geny Y/ Millennial generations in our programs. Now I face the dilemma: do I "become a fan" of said organization? At what point do too many worlds collide? I started this blog hoping to keep anonymity. Then I attached it to my Facebook page - but still, its only my friends who read it, so that's fine.

I have a Facebook page, one that I largely try to keep out of the work domain. Yes, a few of my work friends also moonlight as Facebook friends (and a large handful of them have left the organization so at that point, its free game, right?). But for the most part, I like to keep these worlds separate.

Problem is, I've been a big advocate of getting our organization into the Web 2.0 world and using sites like MySpace and Facebook to attract new participants and to spread the word of our work. Is it hypocritical if I don't "join" the group? Fortunately, the office's page is not a network, which means that those who join can not necessarily view my profile, without me deeming them a "friend" first. But, if those in our office with Facebook pages become a fan of the organization, will there be an instant link among us - will everyone in the office want me as a Facebook friend, and then will I feel compelled to add them? I'm not trying to make it seem like I am the most desirable Facebook friend in the office, not by a longshot. At this point, I'm a fair amount older than a lot of my colleagues (they probably joined Facebook in college and surely don't belong to the group "Unlike 99.99% of the Facebook population, I was born in the '70s.") Yet, I won't easily be able to ignore their requests as I work with them - everyday.

Then is there a certain stigma with the older group in the office? Will they be talking amongst themselves as to who in the office has a Facebook page? Will they start looking over my shoulder?

As social networking sites like Facebook become more popular, start engaging the older population, and start filtering into the work environment as just another marketing tool, maybe a Facebook page will become as common as the business card. Until then, I've got some thinking to do. I may watch this one from afar for a while, and see how it plays out.

Keep you posted!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Oh, If I Had More Time...

Ever since attending a friend's bridal shower this weekend (that's you L!) and learning of this secret band of devotees to this blog (and you J!), I have been yearning to get back into writing. Coupled with an exhibits conference this weekend that was highly focused on Web 2.0 and the use of technology, I have had numerous blog ideas swimming around in my head. (Now if you all could just read my mind, that would make things a lot easier, wouldn't it?)

Oh, if I just had more time...

I promise to get back on track soon.

Thanks for your patience!!