Service Contractor Magazine Highlights Social Media in the Public Sector Study in Center Spread
Obstacles to federal employees’ use of social media for work are declining. According to Market Connections Inc’s new Public Sector Social Media Study released Oct. 18, just 19 percent of agencies surveyed reported they ban access to some or all social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, down sharply from 2010, when 55 percent of agencies banned access.
With use becoming more ubiquitous and accepted across the government, vendors need to know the right ways to engage with their federal agency customers.
The study found that federal employees are using social media to inform decision making, educate the public, access information and increase collaboration, but generally do not want contractors to use networks as a means of pitching products or services. By contrast, contractors view the important benefits of social media as tools for marketing, the promotion of thought leadership and increased collaboration.
