I'd like to use this space today as a teaser of sorts for what is coming next week.

Though I see great value (as I hope you all do) in our monthly Special Reports, next Monday will be an issue that I think is more timely and relevant than most. We will explore legal technology and social media. As we put the finishing touches on articles, I am excited to report that we have some very interesting takes on everything from Facebook to developing a successful corporate website to how to manage internal issues that arise from employee's personal use of social media during office hours.

I know our loyal readers don't need a nudge, but I wanted to share a bit of insight about what lies ahead:

• Office accountability. The use of social media by employees during work hours is nearly unavoidable. The questions then become: How do you, as a leader, manage it? And what sorts of liability do you expose your business to for the actions of employees using your computers and cell phones to transmit questionable content?

I spoke with several attorneys, including Lisa Coppola of Rupp Baase and Elizabeth Carlson of Hodgson Russ - both experts in the area of advising employers on these issues. You'll want to hear their advice on how to handle the day-to-day issues that will arise from the increased presence of social media in the lives of your employees.

Catching customers in your web:
Freelance reporter Michael Petro has been out visiting with firms to see how they approach building an effective Web presence. He is putting together a virtual how-to guide for businesses to see what works, what doesn't and what are the most effective strategies for winning over new customers whose first impression of your business may come via your website.

• Linking up with the next generation:
Is the paper resume becoming obsolete? Probably not, but in many cases, it is now taking a backseat to professional networking sites such as LinkedIn. We talked to folks on both sides of the table to see how employees are leveraging technology to enhance their job prospects, as well as how employers are surfing the web as a first stop in the hunt for new employees.

• This month's guest columnist: Scott Horton of Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP. Scott is a member of its labor and employment and e-discovery and records management practice groups. He is a frequent lecturer on a range of labor issues, with particular emphasis on the implications of social media in the workplace.

There will be more where that came from but, suffice to say, I am excited to hear what people have to say about technology and social media, and I think you will find valuable information that you can apply in your own business.

Bountiful blogs

Speaking of shameless plugs, for those of you who aren't active followers of our sister publication, Business First, the staff across the newsroom is actively blogging on a variety of topics daily at www.buffalo.bizjournals.com.

With a different format than a standard news article, the blogs offer readers a take on things that might not make the traditional paper, or in some cases offer a fresh or expanded look at a topic that was covered in print.

Among the blogs you'll find are: Elizabeth Carey, the Business First broadcast reporter for Channel 7 (Stay Tuned); Managing Editor Tim O'Shei, who covers business from the perspective of the younger generation of workers (Gen@Work); Allissa Kline, who offers insights on banking and financial matters (MoneyBusiness); and my occasionally lighter look at the legal world (Legally Speaking).

I encourage you to give some of the bloggers a test drive. If you would like a preview, you can find a sampling of blogs from last week on page XX of this issue. Look for that to be a regular Monday feature going forward.

As always, we thank you for reading. Whether you are a subscriber, a newsstand reader or checking out the Law Journal for the first time while you relax in a waiting room somewhere, we appreciate it. If you aren't a subscriber yet, or know someone who you think might enjoy the paper, give us a call at 541-1650 and we'll set you up with a free, four-week trial subscription.

Matt Chandler: mchandler@bizjournals.com