Monitoring and engaging customer via low-cost social media can be an effective marketing and advertising strategy of many Canadian companies. Unlike companies from the U.S., which were forced to use low-cost social media to market their products due to huge budget cuts, Canadian companies, though monitors these social sites but does not yet engage consumers. Social media web sites are very popular and offer a unique opportunity for companies to build a loyal customer base. To effectively engage people on these sites, the IT, Marketing, HR and other areas of the company should collectively decide their online strategies.

1. Do you think it is just the marketing budget constraints in Canadian Organizations that make them less engaged?
2. While small businesses in Canada are on a rise, how do you think they can make their marketing effective and also strike a balance?
3. In your opinion, which companies use social media well in listening to their customers and for promoting their products?

Source: R. Ruffolo “Canadian businesses slow to act on social, study finds”, IT World Canada (Retrievable online at http://www.itworldcanada.com/news/canadian-businesses-slow-to-act-on-social-study-finds/143850)