The Internet: It has revolutionized everything. The way we do business, the way we learn, the way we get our information, the way we spend our time, the way we stay in touch with family and friends, the way we shop and buy, the way we…[you can probably fill in a hundred more examples].
Now we have a way to see how workers rate their former employers. A new Web site launched in December allows users to post stories and comments about their workplace experiences. Telonu.com (“tell on you”) is an online community where anyone can post their “Raves, Rants, Rates” at no cost and anonymously.
Marketing and public relations experts tell us that for every negative experience, the average person tells 12 other people. Even before the Internet, negative publicity could spread fast. Now by browsing the World Wide Web, potentially over a billion people can learn immediately what others, including your ex-employees, are saying about your company. According to an October 22, 2008, report titled, “Online Communities and Their Impact on Business: Ignore at Your Peril,” published by Rubicon Consulting, “Online comments and reviews posted by the enthusiasts are second only to word of mouth as a purchase driver for all web users.”
At the very least, companies and employers should monitor sites like this to see what is being said about their organizations. Not only can negative publicity potentially hurt a business’s image and revenues, it can affect future hiring, since some applicants may be put off by those negative posts. This factor could hurt businesses looking to ramp up again after the recession is over.
Read how to be an “Employer of Choice,” even in a down economy.
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