A survey by Regus has found that 50% of Gulf firms have successfully used social networking to win new business over the last year. According to social media expert Paul Bradshaw, broadcasters, particularly international news channels are benefiting from online communities as information resources too. He said: ” The BBC’s UGC unit is a good example- although that […]
A survey by Regus has found that 50% of Gulf firms have successfully used social networking to win new business over the last year.
According to social media expert Paul Bradshaw, broadcasters, particularly international news channels are benefiting from online communities as information resources too.
He said: ” The BBC’s UGC unit is a good example- although that is less about developing a community as about providing platforms for others to contribute, and a way for journalists to quickly find expertise in those communities.”
Firms in the Gulf are also encouraging employees to get social network savvy. In fact 59% encourage their employees to join social networks such as LinkedIn, compared to 53% globally.
More than 17,000 managers and business owners across 80 countries were interviewed for the survey which also found that:
Globally there has been a rise of 7% in the proportion of businesses successfully recruiting new customers through social networks such as Facebook
52% of businesses globally and 62% in the Gulf use websites such as Twitter and Weibo to connect with and inform existing customers
Two fifths (39%) of companies globally and nearly a third in the Gulf (32%) devote up to 20% of their marketing budget to business social networking activity.
A majority of businesses in the Gulf (69%), and internationally (74%) agree that social media activity marketing strategies have actively contributed to their success. They also emphasize the need for a balance of marketing media. Contemporary marketing campaigns are often a combination of traditional and digital techniques.
On the importance of social networking to firms, Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus stated: “The rapid development of social media as a core business tool is clearly part of this transformation as more and more companies are leveraging this channel to increase the loyalty of existing customers, and as a successful acquisition tool.”
