Management Blog

Getting to know Web 2.0 networkers

When it comes to social networking no two users in the same, a new book on the risks and opportunities of the Web 2.0 world argues.

According to a recent Financial Times review of Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies by Charlene Li and Josh Bernof, there are four types of users.

These include: creators - people who develop their own content; critics - comment posters; joiners - people who sign up for online communities; and spectators - people who only read and watch.

Li and Bernof say companies need to understand which of these categories the majority its audience fits into before launching a social networking site.

For example, 'alpha mums' are generally 'spectators'; accordingly any website aimed at this group should be geared towards users who like to read rather than create content themselves.

Data loss riles managers

One in five businesses have dismissed a staff member for disclosing company secrets by email, The Australian reports.

In addition, almost 50 per cent of companies took up disciplinary action with staff over the issue of data leakage, a recent Proofpoint/Forrester study has found.

The study authors say the problem could be worse than many managers realise, as the majority of companies do not have adequate reporting systems in place to track data loss.

Consumers push for green products

Australian shoppers are prepared to vote with their wallets on the issue of global warming, a new survey suggests.

The Pricewaterhouse Coopers 2008 retail and consumer report claims a growing number of consumers are threatening to avoid goods that aren't authentically green.

The report says big business is aware of the trend with leading retailers including Target, Bunnings, Sussan and Woolworths undertaking green initiatives.

However, as the trend is consumer driven - as opposed to being pushed by marketing - PwC says companies need to consider their green policies carefully.

It's claimed consumers will disregard any existing brand loyalty and immediately move to a new retailer if companies don't deliver on their environmental promises, The Herald Sun reports.

Success is all about resilience

Failure isn't the worst thing that can happen to a leader; in fact, it can actually help your career, psychologists suggest.

According to a recent BusinessWeek article, the learnable trait of self-efficacy - the ability to persevere through failure - can help separate the mediocre from the successful.

Psychologists say self-efficacy leaders - including Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Jack Welch and Steve Jobs - usually have a history of failures under their belt.

According the article: "When failure strikes, people with high self-efficacy learn from their errors and strengthen their resolve to succeed."

For more on resilience at work check out the ebook Resilience@Work, published by Management Press.

Web users lose patience

Web users are ruthless and selfish creatures, new research authored by web usability guru Jakob Nielsen reveals.

Nielsen claims consumers of online content have little patience when exploring web sites. He says web users are task driven: they arrive, complete their task and leave quickly.

With this in mind, it's suggested any attempts to hold the attentionof web users - such as promotions - should be avoided.

According to the BBC, web users are also easily frustrated with add on features like widgets and applications that extend the time it takes for a web page to fully load.

Poor air means poorly staff

Poor air quality is costing Australian businesses up to $2 billion a year in lost productivity, according to a CSIRO expert.

Dr Philip Paevere, of the CSIRO's Urban Systems program, says heating and cooling fresh air rather than recycled air can have a direct effect on staff well being.

Recent studies suggest workplaces with higher ventilation levels experience a reduction of 35 per cent in short-term absenteeism, The Age reports.

Researchers argue the extra energy costs required to heat and cool fresh air could easily be recouped by a reduction in sick days and lost productivity.

Inductions foster staff retention

Ensuring new recruits are properly inducted can make a massive difference to a company's staff retention rates, Smart Manager argues in a recent post on how to hold onto employees.

The following tips for effective inductions are offered:

• Be welcoming - start off with an informal ice-breaker such as an induction breakfast
• Show and tell - ensure the company's organisational structure, chain of command, conflict resolution procedures and O&S obligations are outlined
• Buddy up - allocate a 'buddy' to all new staff to aid the ongoing induction process
• Prepare yourself - make sure telephone systems are explained, email addresses are made and all equipment is fully operational

Bullying takes hold in cyber space

Cyber bullying is a serious workplace issue that many managers are not taking seriously, according to new research reported in Marketing magazine.

The LinkMe.com.au study of 1,782 workers indicates nearly half of cyber bullying victims feel they are not listened to when they seek support and assistance at work.

LinkMe claims around 50 per cent of cyber bullying is carried out by co-workers while 41 per cent of online harassment comes from the boss.

Survey respondents said cyber bullying is a growing problem because it is easier to intimidate colleagues in cyber space than it is in the real world.

Harnessing Generation Y

Don't let Generation Y staff drive you up the wall... learn how to harness their power, argues Sydney Morning Herald Enterprise blogger Valerie Khoo.

Khoo offers the following tips on how to get the most from the so-called 'empowered generation':

Be positive – use their 'I can do anything' attitude to your advantage; there might be some good ideas under all the bravado

Test them out –give them a chance to prove their skills on a small project; if they succeed everyone wins

Open up – use their interests to your advantage; e.g. if they love Facebook, ask them to research business opportunities in this area