New Facebook Tool

Facebook is once again testing a new tool to improve the social media site.  This new feature deals with relationships, especially when changing your specific status.  Currently, many people use Facebook in order to show the relationship is official.  Once a relationship is official, people will be able to comment and like the post. 

A major problem and concern for people is when their relationship status changes due to an old relationship ending a new one forming.  Individuals don’t want to see their feed full of their former partner’s name with their posts and pictures.  With this new tool, a person can achieve this without having to block or unfollow their past partner.  There a variety of settings to choose from including limiting the photos and status updates the past partner will be able to see.

Overall, I am looking forward to seeing how this new tool is used throughout the Facebook community.  Currently, these tools are being tested in the United States on mobile devices.  Based on the feedback from users, Facebook will continue to tweak and improve the tool.  This tool is an optional feature with the goal of giving individuals a sense of control over their relationships.  

Communities

As I continue to read Measure What Matters by Katie Paine, the importance of a community was discussed.  When I think about the word community, I see it as individuals in my area where I have close contact on a regular basis.  I have my work, college and pharmacy communities.  When looking at a business, a community may include stakeholders and most importantly the customers.  In addition, one has to consider governmental agencies and other parts of the community where a relationship can be established.

Typically, businesses will focus on the key members of its community.  However, they often forget about the other pieces of the public who are influential in a business.  Sometimes it takes a problem, like a protest towards a product, to raise awareness to the other components of the community.  Areas associated with a company expect some type of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to be in place in order to be considered part of that specific community.  This typically can be accomplished through community outreach programs and other events. 

Overall, it is imperative for businesses to establish relationships with the community and communicate when appropriate.  If members of a community can’t easily contact you, then they may turn to social media to express their frustration.  It only takes one post to hurt a company image quickly.  By establishing and maintaining a relationship, a business can thrive in a variety of settings.