Online miscommunication between generations is a major issue in offices around the country, as cubes and corner offices reluctantly share cyberspace.  Boomers are struggling to raise their online profiles, Gen Y refuses to accept that the world is watching, and Gen X is caught in the crossfire.

The following 3 points are intended to help you minimize professional misunderstandings online and communicate effectively across generations on Facebook, Linkedin, etc.

1. Different Portal, Different Purpose
 
Not all social networking sites are the same.  Some are social, some are professional, some are for sharing information, and some are for checking in with people you know.

Here is a simple breakdown of three major social networking/micro-blogging sites

Facebook – A social site for catching up.  This IS a site for sending personal messages to people you know.  This IS NOT a site for unsolicited sales pitches.

Linked In – A professional site for reaching out.  This IS a site for connecting clients and colleagues with one another.  This IS NOT a site for posting pictures from the weekend.

Twitter – A Site for Piquing Interest.  This IS a site for letting others know what you are doing, reading, creating, working on, or thinking about at any given moment.  That’s it.

2. “You” Beats “Cool” Online
Be yourself online.  Far too often, people try to be “hip” on social networking sites and end up creating awkward interactions in the process.  Consistency between real you and virtual you is paramount.  

3. Social Networks are Happy Places
Social networks are for connecting, sharing, and learning.  Keep them that way.  Leave conflicts and arguments out of cyberspace.

Social networking has become fun for the whole family, from Grandma June to ‘lil Junior.  There’s no reason it can’t be fun for the whole office as well.