Last night after the 5pm mass, our choir, Kandila Choir, had a heart-to-heart meeting, of you know what I mean. I stand as the group's organist.

We settled some issues concerning attendance, punctuality, and commitment among others. It was fun and refreshing as well. Leaders, elders, and members were able to voice out their concerns and I personally think it's a healthy scene for any organization.

[caption id="attachment_1452" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Owners and executives of DEI Direct Sales Marketing Philippines drop by my office for a consulting work."]<a href="http://www.lloydluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/IMG00968-20100410-1849.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1452" title="DEI Direct Sales Marketing Philippines" src="http://www.lloydluna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/IMG00968-20100410-1849-300x225.jpg" alt="DEI Direct Sales Marketing Philippines" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

You see as a business consultant myself, I've been helping companies on their organizational development. No, not really the traditional one. When I say organizational development, I practically talk about people development. Hierarchy or any other structure doesn't work without the commitment and clarity of people within the structure.

But the most interesting part was when I was asked what keeps me busy. Obviously, there are times that I had to absent myself because of the nature of my work—travel. But somebody from the group answered in my behalf. He said: Look at his Facebook to see his schedules.

Now I take this case as a normal case for many organizations I've worked with. Our little choir is pretty much hooked with Social Media facilities and it now becomes part of their daily, if not hourly routine. We are now all connected in the Internet.

Ten years ago, it wasn't like this. We didn't have much rapport with the Internet technology especially that the Philippines was just starting to adapt with the trend. Perhaps because at the time, it was still unclear what it is for. Today, it's obviously important for us to be in social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Plurk, Multiply, and Foursquare among many others.

Social Media marketing in the Philippines isn't in its peak yet. And my observation is that Filipinos are still in the "consumer" of the technology rather than "user" of it. Now, the difference is that consumers spend and users profit.

As an Internet marketing specialist in the Philippines and Asia, I think transformation from being consumers to users isn't really an easy move. We love being entertained and get connected with friends. This isn't like America or any other developed countries, where standard of living prohibits them from spending 3 hours a day on Facebook and other social networking websites.

We are still lucky to be in this country. but mind you, sooner or later, the name of the game will be Users of Internet Technology.

Social Media as a tool, whether you are in Manila, Cebu, Davao, or anywhere else in the Philippines, is something that we can't afford not to have. We should have the knowledge on how to read the signs as well as the meaning over as many clicks as have. Our performance in social networks and media as part of our internet marketing campaign or identity should be more than what we have now.

What do you make of this?