Cyber Monday 2011 has arrived… but I’m pretty sure you already knew that.
Coming off of a weekend that saw online Black Friday sales leaped more that 26% than last year, there is one thing that is evident.
Tech is King.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that today’s consumer is also today’s employee. Technology is important when talking about remaining competitively viable but also when discussing employee satisfaction in the workplace. Therefore, businesses that wish to be competitive and cyber savvy must follow these three rules – at minimum – to compete with other companies in their field.
Current technology in the workplace. If you’ve ever experienced a computer that takes 10 minutes to load or even a copier that takes forever to print paper then you know that this would be the first place to start. Think about this practically. In our own personal lives we invest in smart phones, gadgets, the latest “As Seen on TV” products and more to make our life easier and more efficient. Why wouldn’t employees want the same at work? Employees who feel like they are in a time capsule while at work are probably sharing their frustrations with other people outside of your company. How’s that for good PR? Technology must be seen as a way to not only invest in the productivity and profitability of your firm but also as an investment in the long-term success of your employees.
Adequate use of current social media networks. When a person is applying for a job at your company or a potential customer is looking to do business with you, the first thing they generally see is marketing. Online marketing, combined with a solid social media presence, show that you are serious about meeting the customer right where he or she is and guiding them along to learn more about your company. If you are not using social media for advertising, recruitment, leads generation or general company news, you can be sure that your competitors are. If you need some confirmation and inspiration, check out Mashable’s article on Five Small Business Social Media Success Stories.
Telecommuting policy for eligible employees. This last suggestion will really take your organization over the top. Considered to be one of the most preferred employer provided benefits, Telecommuting is the way to go to increase employee satisfaction. Telecommuting provides employees with the opportunity to work from home, or another remote location, and operate at just about the same level of efficiency as if they were in the office. With new technologies such a video web conferencing, remote printing and scanning and the ability to route calls to any phone in America, telecommuting seems very promising for employees and business owners alike. Don’t think telecommuting is feasible? Well just look to Deloitte, Cisco, Intel, Accenture and Teach For America. These companies are listed on Fortune’s “Top 100 Companies to Work For” list and all have a telecommuter rate of 80% or above.
Is your company a shining example of what it means to be “cyber-savvy?” Or maybe you company needs a little help. Let’s get talking on the blog and help one another out!