Studies show over 50% percent of companies block social media in the work place.

I wouldn’t be surprised if car dealers help make up a large portion of that percentage…

Do you see this number decreasing as dealers get a better understanding of social media and the potential impact is has?

Or will most dealers keep their stance on social media and continue to block it from work computers?

I understand the Initial fear dealers might have. Being afraid that their sales and service employees will go about wasting time on social media sites like facebook. But maybe no more time than most do already standing in front of the window waiting for the up bus.

Then again, employees that want to be “social” find other ways to get it done – their iphone, ipad, driod or other mobile operating device.

If I were on the floor and worked at a dealership that restricted my access to social sites that I was able to leverage for rapport building and possible incremental sales, I’d have my iPad hooked to my hip or my laptop tethered through my phone for internet access.

Further studies suggest social media is spent more for personal reasons than work reasons with only 6.8% of the participants indicating that they use social media for any work purposes. Studies also suggests that social media on platforms such as Facebook have “shattered the divide between business and personal use” and often encourage such intermingling, further exacerbating this issue.

One could argue, as mobile devices (phones and tablets) make it easier to be “social”, is it even necessary to open access to social sites to everyone at the dealership?

Does your dealer restrict social media use?