Research undertaken by Glasgow University found that 34 per cent of those surveyed admitted to feeling stressed by the number of emails they receive. In addition, 28 per cent were ‘driven’ to check their email too often because of a perceived pressure to respond quickly.
Though not definitive, the survey suggests email stress may be a negative side effect of the digital age. This situation may worsen too, as more workers are equipped with laptops, smart phones and mobile web connections - making email harder to ignore.
In response to the research, Business Link Business Adviser Peter Weeks said “Email is a powerful and convenient tool, but it can disrupt your productivity. That said, don’t blame the technology. You are responsible for how you manage your time.”
Assigning dedicated blocks of time for checking email, or simply closing your email program every so often, can help divert your attention onto more useful pursuits.
As for reducing the pressure to respond, a balancing act is required if you rely on email for generating or retaining business. Related research commissioned by Fasthosts concluded that businesses who fail to respond quickly to customer emails ‘are losing business’ to more responsive competitors.
Internally, you can define email guidelines through email usage policies, or introduce email productivity training to help employees manage things for themselves. When dealing with customers - if you really do feel the pressure - you need to think carefully about how to most effectively manage expectations, without losing business.
Download guide - Introduce an Internet and email policy
When managing complex IT systems and services, things can go wrong. Prevention works with cure to ensure you are ready if disaster strikes. If it does, you need a plan to get your systems back on their feet before you lose too much time, money or data.
In addition to basic but important precautions such as installing security updates and maintaining tight password policies, it’s also important to think about disaster prevention from a strategic perspective, planning critical tasks such as data loss prevention and business continuity.
Read our Top tips - Prevent and cure IT disasters
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Some online trends fade as quickly as they appear. Blogs, podcasts and social networks are here to stay - at least for the time being. So should businesses get involved?
Well it depends. Finding a ‘fit’ between your business and whatever trend takes your fancy is vital. Whilst you may feel innovative experimenting with new ideas, without clear value to you and your audience, what’s the point? Sometimes the skill is deciding what not to do - just because something is new and innovative doesn’t mean you should do it.
But as demonstrated in our review, companies that do find a ‘fit’ see big benefits - from looking innovative or trendy, right through to measurable returns like saving money or engaging more effectively with customers.
Download our review of blogs, podcasts and social networks
During the past few decades global software brands have enjoyed huge profits licensing software to business customers. Open source software is challenging this model, offering free or low cost software solutions for business.
A leading example of the power of open source software is Linux. Used by global IT companies such as Google and Amazon, Linux offers a reliable, secure and highly customizable server environment - for free. And it’s not just server software; Sun Microsystems offer Open Office, an office suite fully compatible with other major alternatives.
Many open source projects succeed because of community participation - developers and users share their experiences offering modifications and improvements that may later be built into the software itself. Other projects are pioneered by global companies - Apple, IBM and Google all develop open source software.
The main consideration when reviewing open source software is how to obtain support if things go wrong. From developing custom functionality to ensuring compatibility, you’re not entitled to support. There’s often a wealth of knowledge online that could solve your problem - but you will need to know where to look, and must be technically capable of implementing what might be complex solutions.
Open source software provides many benefits, but it’s not always the best solution. The important thing is to review all the options - from traditional software products to open source - and then make the right strategic decision for your business.
Computer software - the basics
This year sees the beginning of the implementation of the Companies Act 2006 which received Royal Assent in November last year. The first complete review of Company Law for 50 years, the Act has been the subject of long discussion in both the commons and Lords.
The longest piece of legislation ever to be put on the statute book in Britain, the Act contains hundreds of changes to existing company law. It is the biggest shake up to Company Law for decades and is aimed at removing unnecessary regulation, streamlining processes and giving shareholders more say in the running of companies.
The new legislation is set to have tremendous impact on private, public and quoted companies as well as their shareholders, company secretaries and auditors. And changes are already coming into place.
As from 1 January 2007, all UK companies must include certain information on documentation and their websites and email footers or they will breach the Companies Act and risk a fine. Under the Act, every business must list its company registration number, place of registration, and registered office address on its website. This information should also appear on order forms and in emails.
Read our short guide on the provisions of the Companies Act