Big business and small business have one thing in common: They’re not sure where to draw the line with social media in the workplace. Some companies prefer to keep social media out of a professional business environment, while others think integrating modern tools within a corporate social framework benefits their business.

By pulling from the best of social media and filling the gaps where needed, Yapmo provides business-friendly corporate social networking. Instead of inundating activity streams, they offer focused discussion threads. Instead of generic outreach to all “followers,” Yapmo lets you reach out to your specific group of followers in need of what you have to offer – or who may have what you need.

Social media is great, but for business to get it right there really needs to be a social media designed just for business. This is what Yapmo offers with enterprise social network software. Instead of being impeded by useless updates and distracting chatter, employees can get in, get what you need and move on.

Whether or not you use Yapmo, there’s one defining move that cannot be ignored – and that’s the line in the sand between social enterprise and social media.

The Evolving Need for Enterprise-Class Private Social Networks

Social’s getting complicated, or so it would seem. First there was social media, then the social web. Now businesses are venturing in by applying a social media-inspired network to their enterprises, which leads to another facet: business social enterprise.

Social media is based on a consumer behavior, designed to increase noise rather than decrease information overload. Social media companies like Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn want you glued to their platform. That’s why information isn’t always filtered to complement user needs (which is why professional Pinterest users are entirely frustrated with the platform; why Facebook users suffer from data overload; and why LinkedIn users are perplexed at the lack of networking engagements available to them). Social media is designed to keep your eyes on the screen, to keep the feed going, and to keep you constantly engaged. Engaged, but not always productive.

There’s a difference between engagement and productivity, measured by how much of the data feeds you’re coming across on social media sites are actually conducive to your needs. The answer is not many.

How Yapmo Became Relevant

Yapmo keeps what’s good about social media but weaves it in with a social enterprise platform that’s business-friendly. The software enhances useful employee engagement and productivity; employees see what’s relevant to them and have the option of getting push notifications for content that’s of value to them.

As a by-product of increased engagement, company morale increases. Peers and management are enabled to interact in a set platform designed to boost business value; this beats idle chit chat or missed engagement opportunities simply because an employee wasn’t present for a discussion because of office geography or due to being out in the field. With Yapmo private social network, employees are allowed to engage in a meaningful way.

Advanced social enterprise communication tools also eliminate the need for time-wasters like meetings or back and forth email conversations. Users can access data as needed through tags and follows, be a part of meaningful discussions, and get push notifications. Yapmo doesn’t just encourage working creatively, the social enterprise platform leads to thinking creatively too.

And just like with social media, private social enterprise solutions may not be readily favored by all employees. Some users may take longer to adapt to the new system. With that in mind, Yapmo’s software offers users the ability to log in and use the private social network while still connecting through email lists and sticking to their webmail interface. This way, reluctant employees are in the loop without actually needing to use the software itself – making it possible for a company to move forward without 100% immediate adoption.

Author Bio:

by Shireen Qudosi

Shireen Qudosi is Benchmark Email's Online Marketing Specialist and Small Business Advocate. An Orange County based writer, Shireen specializes in online marketing and public relations. She has written for over 75 publications and has launched nine successful new media campaigns to date. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Denver Post, the Oklahoman and Green Air Radio, among others.