Creative company owners are among the small firms turning their backs on social networking websites as ways to make contacts and source new business.
Researchers say that despite growing 89% last year, sites like Facebook and MySpace are yet to capture the imagination of the business community.
In previous times, pubs and golf clubs were used to meet new customers and suppliers, because they offered firms an informal social context to ‘talk shop’ and network.
But now the social setting of the internet has become equally as redundant: just eight out of 100 business owners use community websites, like Facebook, to promote or aid their outfit.
Barclays Local Business, which commissioned the research, said the minimal uptake seems to suggest there is “a lack of good sites for businesses to network.”
Its marketing director, John Davies said: “Perhaps it is down to the fact that many small businesses are sole traders and organised events allow you to meet others, and discuss issues face to face, something a chat room will never be able to do.”
The more ‘personal touch’ remains the ideal way for company owners to meet new contacts, with six in ten saying events or shows offer the best opportunities.
The research also found managing directors would rather have the phone number of their spouse to hand, rather than that of their accountant, business partner or bank manager.
Jul 16, 2007
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