Yes, I know it's a social network and many businesses are still struggling with understanding what the point is. For most businesses, the debate is still between trying to grasp the value of as a marketing tool, and whether or not to simply ban access entirely to prevent users from wasting their time and exposing the company to unnecessary security risks.

Consider for a minute, what Facebook has to offer, though. It already has messaging capabilities that can be used to communicate with other individuals or groups of individuals within Facebook. You can share links, photos, and video clips as well. It also has an instant messaging chat component, and the recently launched opens up VoIP (voice over IP) voice calling, and group chat possibilities.

Facebook, through its alliance with Microsoft, also provides a Web-based office productivity suite. Docs.com, or , delivers Web-based versions of the popular Microsoft Office productivity apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

As a marketing tool, Facebook provides a platform with over half a billion users--and it is the online destination where users spend the majority of their time. The social nature of Facebook lends itself well to word-of-mouth advertising as Facebook users post status updates regarding movies, books, restaurants, products, or services they like. Of course, that works in reverse too--quickly disseminating bad reviews and complaints as well.

With Facebook Places, and the newly launched Facebook Deals, Facebook now provides even more benefits for brick and mortar retail establishments. Businesses can use Facebook Deals to provide on Facebook Places, and as those users check-in it feeds the word-of-mouth marketing advantages of the social network.