Caroline Bowles '11
Friending Social Networks: Why Businesses Should Log On
One of the most integral parts of society today
is our use of social networking sites, and businesses
venturing into this uncharted territory are finding that
these sites provide a whole new area for connecting with
their customer base. These sites provide businesses a
range of options in order to reach consumers, with each
site having its own
unique layout and
advantages. Social
networking sites offer
businesses and their
audiences a means of
conversing openly and
building a trust
between each other,
leading to a more
customized and well targeted
product or service. However, social networking
sites are not free from hazards; risks include security
breaches, productivity losses, and even damage to the
business’ reputation. Despite these limited risks, social
networking provides a vastly superior outlet for interaction
on a massive yet personally connective scale. This project
examined the roles that Facebook, Twitter, MySpace,
YouTube, and LinkedIn play in this new frontier of
business-customer communication.
Kara Jenkins '11
Woodbine Farms: Fresh From the Ground Up
Farming has a long and rich tradition in the
Shenandoah Valley. The farm families that remain today
are finding new and creative ways to hold on to their
roots. Woodbine
Farms, located in
Frederick County,
Virginia, is no
exception. A research
project was conducted
to help define the
future state of the
farm operation. The
process that was
utilized to analyze Woodbine was the SOAR framework.
The framework was used to examine the strengths and
opportunities of the farm, as well as to frame future
aspirations and the development of measures to track the
results of the defined initiatives. This strategic framework
has effectively focused company goals that has allowed
the farm to create a fresh, from-the-ground-up
perspective.
