June 26, 2009 at 4:28 am by Tracy Ormsbee

It was so gratifying to see this story earlier this week confirming what we’ve all thought a billion times — that people shouldn’t fixate on their blackberry/iPhone while another human being is talking to them — and even more importantly, this article points out, not in a meeting with their boss, who might be going over important stuff that relates to, um, their ongoing employment.

As social media tools, and the devices that let us use them, become more commonplace, Barbara Pachter, author of “NewRules@Work: 79 Etiquette Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get Ahead and Stay Ahead” warns of some costly blunders professionals can make when using social media:

1. Criticizing your employer. One woman recently posted on her Facebook page, “Attending another stupid work meeting. Can’t wait to get to the bars!” People are still posting negative comments about their company or boss on social networking sites. You can get reprimanded or fired because of it. Why would you bite the hand that feeds you?

2. Posting offensive photos and videos on Facebook or YouTube. Recently two Domino’s employees lost their jobs after posting a video of themselves doing unmentionable things to a pizza.

3. Not having a strategy if you don’t want to accept a friend request from a client or boss on Facebook. You don’t want to offend someone by denying their request. Think about the person and what would be the best way to say “no.” You can explain that you are saving Facebook for your family and friends and ask them to please join you on LinkedIn. You can ignore their request on Facebook and just send them a LinkedIn request. You can also accept the invitation and use the privacy controls to limit which sections of your profile they can see.

4. Using your BlackBerry under the table. People think you are ignoring them and there can be consequences. One company lost a large contract because their vice president played with his BlackBerry during a meeting with the potential client.

5. Sending ludicrous tweets on Twitter. I don’t need to read what you ate for dinner. Do I care? Be helpful to people so they want to hear what you have to say.

6. Placing your Blackberry or iphone on the table when meeting with someone. You are so ready to drop them and connect with someone else!

7. Not participating in Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. You are missing out. If you do not participate, you will never know how social media can help you and your business.

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