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Being proactive is key in harnessing the power of emerging technologies like social media. Check out this article on the implications of social media in the workplace from an HR perspective. Try looking at the content through the eyes of an IT specialist. Directly from the article "The Bottom Line" Organizations must develop strong policies and implement them in a defensible way. If there are no internal resources with the hybrid legal and IT experience needed to execute a smart e-discovery strategy, it's advisable to hire outside expertise. Getting your e-discovery ducks in a row may be a tall order, but it can be done. Here are some guidelines: 1. Know your enemy. Find out what kinds of social media tools are being used in your organization and why. 2. Don't try to ban social media. Locking down your company's Internet access is an unrealistic goal, and it sends the wrong message to employees. 3. Establish good policies. Consider legal risks in all of the company's existing policies, including corporate communications and acceptable use policies. 4. Educate employees. Communicate why policies are important for the well-being of the organization and its staff. 5. Solicit feedback. Ask users for their input about policy changes. This will go a long way in ensuring adoption. 6. Keep it short. Make policies clear and understandable, and cut the legal jargon. Provide guidelines and examples to help employees understand the company's expectations. 7. Require employees to certify (in writing) their understanding and compliance with all corporate policies. 8. Track and audit the use of social media sites. This will provide valuable insight about policy compliance and the nature of social media use. Most importantly, learn to embrace social media for all of its benefits. Used properly, social media tools enhance your brand, foster collaboration, and help build the kinds of relationships you need to develop successful teams.