Facebook vs Twitter - Case Study Example

Facebook vs. TwitterIntroductionThis paper will conduct an in-depth case analysis of Facebook with specific reference to the website’s mission statement. A SWOT analysis will be performed to identify the potential threat facing Facebook. Once the biggest challenge is identified, a couple of possible solutions will be examined and the best one will be discussed along with an implementation plan. Synopsis of the SituationFacebook is a social networking site launched by the Facebook, Inc in 2004.

It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg with the help of his friends Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin, and Chris Hughes. According to a report by Sengupta (2012), Facebook had more than 900 million active users as of May 2012. Similarly, Twitter is also a social networking service developed and launched by Jack Dorsey in 2006. Key Issues Undoubtedly, malicious virus attacks appear to be the most potential challenge to Facebook. Due to this problem, thousands of people lose access to their accounts.

In addition, computer hackers intrude into Facebook IDs and steal users’ confidential information. The “Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected” (as cited in Reagan, 2009). However, growing governmental interventions and regulations including ban raise potential challenges to Facebook in some countries like China. Hence, the company has to struggle a lot to make its mission achievable. Market competitors like Twitter and Myspace are turning out to be a significant threat to Facebook.

Last but not the least, many social interests groups raise their voice against Facebook, arguing that this website is a major reason of time wastage. Define the ProblemEvidently, Facebook’s major competitor Twitter is the greatest challenge/threat to the company. Twitter has attained worldwide popularity and this website has the strength of over 500 million active users as of 2012. In addition, high profile people like celebrities and politicians prefer Twitter to Facebook. This situation may contribute to an increase in the level of Twitter traffic over the coming years.

Alternative SolutionsIn order to manage the threat of Twitter, it is advisable for the Facebook to integrate more customized page features and applications. It is also recommendable to take efforts to ensure the presence of high profile celebrities in Facebook. Finally, the company should make financial incentive provisions for Facebook promoters. Selected Solution to the ProblemPossibly, involvement of high profile people may be the best strategy for the Facebook to defend the threats from Twitter.

This strategy would assist the company to retain its existing users while attracting new users (even Twitter users) as well. ImplementationIn order to implement the identified solution, the company should be willing to pay targeted celebrities, politicians, or other famous people. It would be advisable for the firm to approach those high profile people when they are in the midst of some exciting achievements in their area of work. Recommendations It must be noted that this policy may negatively affect the company if public come to know about this paid deal.

Hence, Facebook team has to make agreements with celebrities hired to keep the deal confidential. ConclusionFrom the above case analysis, it is clear that Twitter is the biggest threat to Facebook. The current threat can be effectively defended if the organization ensures celebrity presence in Facebook. For this, Facebook team should pay those celebrities whenever those are in the midst of high profile achievements. ReferencesReagan, G. (2009). The Evolution of Facebook’s Mission Statement.

New York Observer. Retrieved from http://observer.com/2009/07/the-evolution-of-facebooks-mission-statement/ Sengupta, S. (2012). Facebook’s Prospects May Rest on Trove of Data. New York Times, Business day Technology. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/technology/facebook-needs-to-turn-data-trove-into-investor-gold.html?_r=1 Appendix ASWOT analysis of FacebookStrengthsStrong brand imageSimple and strong mission statementOne of the leading networking sitesDiversified source of revenuesInnovative features like video- conferencing and instant messagingIncreased market shareAvailable in more than 70 languagesQuick adaptability to technologyWeaknessesNon-customized page featuresFAQ’s are used instead of giving proper feedbacksMajor reason of time wastageIrrelevant applicationsOpportunitiesAct as a potential platform for inexpensive sales promotionScope for inexpensive and easy surveys and pollsApplications become a major source of incomeInfinite scope for international expansionThreatsIncreased threat of virus attacksCompetitors like Twitter, Hi5, and MyspaceLeakage of photos and other informationGovernment regulationsHackersCultural disintegration (Source: Facebook vs.

Twitter: The Coming Facebook-Twitter Collision)