First of all, here's a brief description of the concepts of network and social media:
"A Social Network is a structure made up of people and/or organizations connected by one or multiple types of relationships, who share common values, habits and/or goals. Social media, on the other hand, are the digital platforms that facilitate this process, enabling interaction."
Starting from this premise, we've already answered the question: yes, WhatsApp is a social media, and one of the most powerful of recent times.
Some say that, whether in a roundabout or indirect way, it's replacing some of Facebook's most classic features, like organizing events and discussion groups, not to mention, of course, instant messaging.
Personal or Professional?
Given its overwhelming reach, can we consider WhatsApp as just another work tool? Is there room to use it commercially in an organized and healthy way? In my opinion, the answer is: IT DEPENDS!
Relax, I'm not going to dodge the question, but I say it depends because you actually need to set limits or usage rules with your business partner.
To me, it's very useful and strategic to use the tool to speed up processes or clear up doubts. If we can be quick and respond in real time to a client, employee, or boss, why not do it? However, I believe we should not use WhatsApp as a tool for managing people or projects.
When it comes to dealing with people, we can't rely on just one of our senses.
Written text is completely open to interpretation, and we're at the mercy of how it's understood. A simple "we need to talk" can send an employee from heaven to hell depending on how vivid their imagination is.
Likewise, using WhatsApp to kick off projects, or even to follow up on stages, can be a fatal trap. The tool wasn't made for that, so there's no activity log, no deadline tracking, no deadline alerts, and certainly no management reports.
That's why I see WhatsApp as viable for business use, as long as we respect its characteristics, limitations, and functionalities.
Does it help or does it get in the way?
To wrap up our reflection on today's "apple of everyone's eye," here's an important question:
Today, does WhatsApp speed up your work activities, or does it make you lose focus at least 10 times a day?
Well, here's a tip for using this tool so your job or business isn't put at risk: use common sense.
Nobody likes to be left out of the conversation of the moment, let alone see more than 100 unread messages on their screen, but we need to read the moment and the circumstances! If things are hectic at work, save your group participation for lunchtime or your coffee break.
Don't let this fun, helpful tool end up working against you.
Use in moderation!
