Freshfields launches its own Facebook site
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is embracing the technological age, launching a social networking site as a virtual means of keeping hold of employees and alumni.
The Freshfields Network portal went live at the end of last month as part of the firm’s wider alumni programme and has so far attracted around 3,000 users.
The new service operates in a similar way to Facebook or LinkedIn, allowing users to invite their contacts to participate and to build networks of friends and colleagues.
Freshfields global human resources partner Caroline Stroud said the motivation behind the launch was to create a community of employees that would be about “personal, rather than corporate” communication.
She added: “It’s a way of keeping a vibrant, living community between people who have been connected with Freshfields through their career.”
Stroud’s role was created in 2007 to help increase collegiality at the firm.
“One of my missions is to make sure Freshfields has a community,” she said. “We weren’t keeping in touch with alumni in an active way, so the portal’s a way of changing that.”
Readers' comments (9)
IHateBPP | 7-Dec-2009 10:47 am
I assume that an unofficial requirement of their recruitment policy will now be that you join this and so allow Freshfields to poke through your private life?
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Anonymous | 7-Dec-2009 11:17 am
What's it called? Freshbook?
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Benny | 7-Dec-2009 1:05 pm
Another nail in the coffin of the work/life divide.
There's clearly no such thing as "personal, rather than corporate" when the context is a website operated by your employer.
Woe betide any Freshfields employee who naively thinks this isn't the case.
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Chippy | 7-Dec-2009 2:41 pm
Poke this.
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Chaya | 7-Dec-2009 3:18 pm
I think Chippy is a bit sad that he isn't able to join in with the Freshies FB crowd. It must be great to be down with the kids.
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HGR | 7-Dec-2009 4:16 pm
It may have the virtue of attracting all the insufferables to a single firm.
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FBD associate | 7-Dec-2009 4:20 pm
For those of you suggesting that this is a 'social networking' site, I am sorry to disappoint, but it is purely a professional networking tool for FBD staff and alumni to stay in touch with each other and foster lasting business relationships.
Ergo, you won't be posting pictures of yourself 'on the lash' or other various misdemeanours that somehow manage to end up on facebook, and has no requirement for any divulging of what you do in your spare time!
Do love the name ' Freshbook' though, maybe there's an idea there.......
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T. Rom Boner | 7-Dec-2009 5:29 pm
Dear FBD Associate,
Congratulations on your assimilation into the Borg, sorry, the firm.
David Koresh and his Branch Dividians could (have) learn(ed) something here.
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Anonymous | 7-Dec-2009 6:37 pm
Is there a billing code for its use?
Given the sociopathic nature of people in major firms, surely its better called Hatebook?
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