Investile Dysfunction

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Maybe Using Twitter at Work Is Not Such a Good Idea?

Anand Sanwal March 18th, 2009

Twitter’s growth as of late has been nothing short of super fast — Usain Bolt fast. Mashable reports its recent growth at 1,382 percent and TechCrunch reports a 55 percent month-over-month growth rate in the Feb vs. Jan ‘09 timeframe.

The recent media coverage has definitely helped Twitter grow like a weed. You’ve seen the folks on CNN or NBC or wherever have the same conversation.

“Do you Twitter?,”"What is Twitter?,” etc.

After a brief overview, they usually close with the same, obligatory newscaster joke with one person asking, “So what do you call someone who Twitters?” To which the other person at the desk says, “A twit,” and they then share a hearty chuckle at their wit and ingenuity.

But not everyone is so happy about Twitter’s growth, and that person is Coach Scott Skiles of the Milwaukee Bucks. Per Fox Sports:

Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva got a talking-to from Skiles after the coach learned Villanueva posted a message to his Twitter feed — a “tweet” — from his mobile phone during halftime of Sunday’s home victory over Boston.

“We made a point to Charlie and the team that it’s nothing we ever want to happen again,” Skiles said after practice Tuesday. “You know, we don’t want to blow it out of proportion. But anything that gives the impression that we’re not serious and focused at all times is not the correct way we want to go about our business.”

Using the screen name “CV31″ — Villanueva’s initials and jersey number — Villanueva posted the following message during halftime Sunday:

“In da locker room, snuck to post my twitt. We’re playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up.”

So what do folks think? Is tweeting at halftime taking things a bit too far or distracting? Distractions aside, it’s a great way to engage with fans and give them an insider’s view into the locker room. Perhaps Skiles could get the guys on the bench who have no chance of playing to tweet instead?

In general, are social media like Twitter, Facebook, etc., a hindrance or help in the workplace? ###

Filed Under: Investile Dysfunction

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2 Comments to “Maybe Using Twitter at Work Is Not Such a Good Idea?”

Steve Justice Says:

March 20th, 2009 at 9:30 am

communication is key in the workplace, so i could definitely see a use for twitter. however, an nba player tweeting at halftime seems a bit much.

i find the challenge with emerging technologies is always their application. unfortunately, many companies overreact and block all access instead of thinking through the problem and finding the benefits.
Anand Sanwal Says:

March 23rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm

Steve,

Thanks for your comment. I’d agree that there sometimes is an overcorrection by blocking applications. I remember not being able to get IM at a company which we all found a way around as it was a huge productivity enhancer.

On the flipside, there are some times when folks want to jump on the bandwagon with every hot new thing because it seems “innovative”. Twitter, Facebook, etc etc. This sort of technology whiplash is also not good in the corporate setting. It’s usually the result of poor management but serves to waste people’s time and result in less productivity - not more.

Guess the moral of the story is that extremes to either side are not a good thing.

Regards,
Anand