Management Blog

Cash, credit or survey?

Point of Sale (POS) market research is becoming an increasingly popular method of collecting data on consumer behaviour, The Visible Enterprise blog reports.

UK retailer Co-op is currently presenting short surveys to customers using POS terminals at the checkout in a bid to collect feedback while it's still fresh.

Co-op says it couldn't be happier with the 'low cost and high impact' method, which may also incorporate questions about current affairs in the future.

Meanwhile, Internet surveys are also gaining momentum with US retailer Home Depot claiming it receives better, more cost effective results with online research than it does via traditional methods.

NEC to monitor innovation workers

Japanese multinational NEC is hoping to identify what makes its ideas people tick by establishing a lab in which every stage of the R&D process is monitored, BusinessWeek reports.

In an echo of TV's Big Brother, the company intends to listen in on workers' informal water-cooler chats and brainstorming meetings; it will also keep an eye on which books they're reading.

The three decade long focus of the monitored innovation lab is to develop the next generation of network linked computers and gadgets.

BusinessWeek suggests NEC's approach is indicative of how far companies will go to take the guesswork out of innovation in an age of rapid technological change.

Book publishing meets cyberspace

The future of book publishing revolves around mobile devices and the internet according to Brian Murray, the top man at HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide.

Time magazine reports that HarperCollins has digitised over 10,000 of its book titles in preparation for the consumer uptake of emerging new media technologies.

Apple's iPhone has already been embraced by HarperCollins; the publisher is allowing iPhone users in the US to download 10 page excerpts of its new releases for their reading pleasure.

IBM boosts its SL presence

Recent criticism of Second Life's commercial possibilities hasn't fazed IBM with the IT giant recently assigning Australian and Asian staff to its Customer Business Centre within the virtual world.

According to The Age, the Business Centre allows Second Life residents to research products and services, ask for technical guidance and meet with IBM staffers.

IBM says its Second Life presence is paying off. Over 10,000 visitors have teleported into the Business Centre, which is manned around the clock, since it was opened in May this year.

The company says Second Life is a valuable communications channel as it delivers a rich online experience and taps into online social networking and community forming trends.

Wanted: BYON workers

It's a good thing notebook computer prices are falling as your next job might well be a BYON (bring your own notebook) affair, The Australian reports.

Technology issues analyst Gartner predicts that by next year 10 per cent of Australian companies will recruit employees who bring their own notebook to work. 

The trend isn't just about employees demanding a BYON relationship. Many knowledge workers actually prefer their own 'bells and whistles' laptop rather than a standard corporate model.

In the wake of the BYON movement, IT managers are warned they will need to toughen up on security measures to accommodate more non-company owned computers being used.

From BlackBerry to CrackBerry

Overly fond of your BlackBerry? You're not alone. The Australian suggests a growing number of professionals are becoming addicted to the increasingly ubiquitous telecommunications device.

It seems lawyers are particularly keen on the all-in-one communications tool. For example, law firm Mallesons says 85 per cent of its partners and 70 per cent of senior associates have BlackBerrys.

While many lawyers claim the gadget has revolutionised their work practices by providing greater flexibility, critics say BlackBerrys can mean longer hours due to around the clock availability.

Other commentators claim the device can be anti-social as BlackBerry owners sometimes forget their manners and common courtesy when using what are often disparagingly referring to as 'CrackBerrys'.

When actions speak louder than words

Poor body language can significantly compromise your potential to impress future employers in an interview situation, according to a recent Career Journal article.

To help professionals give every interview their best shot the article outlines four body language tips. In summary, these include:

1. Make contact – don't use too little or too much eye contact; show you're interested by alternating attention to the interviewer's eyes, mouth and shoulders

2. Stay still – fidgeting, twisting and turning, or traits such as hair touching can be distracting and reveal nervousness; remain aware of your body movements at all times

3. Sit up – slouching equates to low self-esteem; in contrast, sitting up straight leaves the impression of confidence

4. Be open – crossed arms and clenched fists suggest a defensive nature whereas open (but not too relaxed) body language sends a positive message

Mortgage stress hits the inner city

In the wake of recent interest rate rises many home buyers in wealthy inner city areas are suffering bouts of 'mortgage stress', the Herald Sun reports.

A recent survey of Australian homeowners by Fujitsu Consulting indicates over 26,000 people are suffering mortgage stress, an increase of 105 per cent on previous figures.    

Fujitsu says mortgage stress, which has traditionally been associated with working class suburbs, has only recently become a widespread problem in middle class suburbia and the inner city.

With marginal seats being some of the hardest hit areas the report authors predict initiatives to reduce mortgage stress may emerge as a key issue at the impending federal election.

Get to know your bias

When recruiting or appraising staff a degree of bias can stop managers from making effective decisions, according to a Financial Times article on how to control potentially discriminatory behaviour.

It's claimed managers who rely too heavily on unconscious preferences or gut feelings can fail to place the best people in the right positions and diminish workplace diversity in the process.

As a quick litmus test, researchers suggest managers observe their behaviour when next on public transport to see if they avoid sitting next to people of different races or those with disabilities.

According to the article, the recognition of bias is a good first step towards eliminating its negative consequences in the workplace.

The end of drink driving?

Nissan has announced plans to introduce new technology that stops drink drivers from hitting the road, the BBC reports.

The Japanese based car manufacturer is currently testing drink driving-proof cars that feature odour testing sensors and an eye scanning alertness camera.

If these devices decide that a driver has had too much to drink the vehicle will simply not start.

Nissan says the technology has the potential to halve the number of fatalities involving its vehicles. No word as yet on when cars featuring the technology will be on the road.