Friday Focus: The impact of social media in the logistics sector
The logistics sector has always been characterised by fast-paced communications and robust technology, so what impact does social media have from a business perspective?
Historically people tended to work for one organisation for several years. Social contact was limited and relied on a network of personal contact which may have been built up over many years.
Indeed, networking is a skill which often takes years to develop and for some people it does not come naturally at all.
Yet the advent of social media changes all of that. It is now easier than ever to connect with people and draw on a wide network of individuals who want to help and support one another to deliver dramatic change.
With a few simple clicks of a mouse it is possible to reach out to thousands of people who will be able to offer advice and guidance so that, collectively, people can benefit from their experiences.
So who in particular can benefit? The business social media platform LinkedIn is one of the most popular forums for discussions and groups providing opportunities for like-minded individuals to share knowledge and advice as well as potential opportunities and industry developments.
A quick survey on LinkedIn reveals that some 1,700 groups have a logistics or supply chain focus.
This demonstrates just how wide-ranging and diverse a discipline it has become, and also shows that there is something for everyone depending on your interests or business focus.
The internet has allowed a phenomenon described as “the long tail of demand” which suggests that the huge availability of information on the net creates increasingly focused niches from which everyone can benefit, so whatever your specialism, you can either find it or find someone else who knows about it.
This is particularly true for women working in logistics, which until very recently was regarded by many major logistics firms as “an alarmingly small number”, (it is improving but very gradually).
Therefore the ability to reach out and communicate with other women going through the same experiences is a lifeline that organisations were not able to provide.
And it’s not just women who benefit. As increasing numbers of people conduct business on the move there is an increased expectation of availability and prompt response.
The internet makes this easier than ever with social platforms such as Twitter and RSS feeds, which offer up to the minute information about industry challenges and changes ensuring that, if you’re connected, you’re also fully informed and able to respond promptly and effectively saving your business or your client both time and money.
Ultimately, social networks are a demonstration of the old adage that ‘people get back what they invest’ - as their own network grows and they are able to learn and benefit in a “safe” environment without putting a business at risk.
Susanna Patton of is a member of LinkedIn group ‘Women in Logistics (WIL). The group is an informal national organization which combines the best of social media interaction and face-to-face meetings.
Join the debate about this issue at the IFW Linkedin group, or follow the news at our Twitter page
Indeed, networking is a skill which often takes years to develop and for some people it does not come naturally at all.
Yet the advent of social media changes all of that. It is now easier than ever to connect with people and draw on a wide network of individuals who want to help and support one another to deliver dramatic change.
With a few simple clicks of a mouse it is possible to reach out to thousands of people who will be able to offer advice and guidance so that, collectively, people can benefit from their experiences.
So who in particular can benefit? The business social media platform LinkedIn is one of the most popular forums for discussions and groups providing opportunities for like-minded individuals to share knowledge and advice as well as potential opportunities and industry developments.
A quick survey on LinkedIn reveals that some 1,700 groups have a logistics or supply chain focus.
This demonstrates just how wide-ranging and diverse a discipline it has become, and also shows that there is something for everyone depending on your interests or business focus.
The internet has allowed a phenomenon described as “the long tail of demand” which suggests that the huge availability of information on the net creates increasingly focused niches from which everyone can benefit, so whatever your specialism, you can either find it or find someone else who knows about it.
This is particularly true for women working in logistics, which until very recently was regarded by many major logistics firms as “an alarmingly small number”, (it is improving but very gradually).
Therefore the ability to reach out and communicate with other women going through the same experiences is a lifeline that organisations were not able to provide.
And it’s not just women who benefit. As increasing numbers of people conduct business on the move there is an increased expectation of availability and prompt response.
The internet makes this easier than ever with social platforms such as Twitter and RSS feeds, which offer up to the minute information about industry challenges and changes ensuring that, if you’re connected, you’re also fully informed and able to respond promptly and effectively saving your business or your client both time and money.
Ultimately, social networks are a demonstration of the old adage that ‘people get back what they invest’ - as their own network grows and they are able to learn and benefit in a “safe” environment without putting a business at risk.
Susanna Patton of is a member of LinkedIn group ‘Women in Logistics (WIL). The group is an informal national organization which combines the best of social media interaction and face-to-face meetings.
Join the debate about this issue at the IFW Linkedin group, or follow the news at our Twitter page
Click here to email the editor and comment on this story
Receive our FREE news email bulletin click here
- Job of the WeekSales Manager Ref: 50063824 SO2 (SCP 32-34) £27,052 - £28,636
- 13 − 15 March 2012
- 22 − 23rd March 2012
- 25th April 2012 for 12 weeks.
- 12 − 14 June 2012
