Communication is a fundamental human need
Throughout the most disadvantaged areas of the world, ie most of the world, the advent of the cellphone has been a godsend to families that are often separated through economic or political necessity. In the poorest places people will go without even some of the little they have to be able to communicate with each other.
It seems that applies across the board, especially when times get tough. UK users prioritise comms spend in recession
UK consumers rank their communications services among the most important elements of their lives, refusing to sacrifice them during times of economic constraint, according to a new report from UK watchdog Ofcom.
While surveyed users would be willing to cut back on holidays (47 per cent), eating out and home improvement (both 41 per cent), less than one fifth (19 per cent) were prepared to rein in their spend on mobile communications. Broadband connectivity (16 per cent) and subscription television (ten per cent) were even more highly prized.
But consumers are not profligate with their communications spend, squeezing their providers for the best deal, Ofcom said. The benefits of multiplay offerings for carriers are clear in the UK, with 46 per cent of users surveyed during the first three months of 2009 taking two or more services from one operator. This is up from 39 per cent for the same period a year ago.
[...] SIM-only mobile phone deals are also increasingly popular, accounting for 20 per cent of new contracts since September last year. 70 per cent of those surveyed said they would sooner keep their existing handset to save money than upgrade to a new one. And while some 25 per cent of new mobile contracts in the first three months of the year were for one month only (typically a characteristic of SIM-only contracts), the economic downturn has also generated an increase in 24-month contracts, which offer lower monthly fees.
Your communications strategy is critical to your success, but as times get tougher, are you adapting that strategy to the changing circumstances of your communities of interest, your clients and your supporters?
How? Comments are open?
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August 7, 2009 1 Comment
Swine flu continuity plans
As Mexico City citizens, government and businesses are finding, it doesn't take a full-blown pandemic to throw your operations into a mess. Since most NFP organisations are already dealing with vulnerable members of the community, being able to carry on working in an uncertain and disrupted environment will be crucial.
Gartner research director Steve Bittinger said the unfolding situation in Mexico is an "indicator to pay attention" to business continuity plans. via Swine flu forces remote work tool review. [Read more →]
May 1, 2009 No Comments
When technology fails, what’s Plan-b?
Disaster recovery and business continuity plans typically occupy either the bottom draw and are years out of date, or exist in some ideal day after tomorrow. But as our systems have become extremely complex and interdependent, they are exposed to more potential disruiptions.
Last month Sydney CBD was thrown into chaos at rush hour by an errant backhoe and since March 30 the city has had three further partial blackouts. NZ can't gloat either with recurring blackouts in Auckland recently and more predicted for this winter as elderly systems come under stress. But sometimes the problem can be even more local.
When a contractor wielding an angle grinder accidentally cut into the air-conditioning cooling system of a downtown Auckland office block, thousands of litres of water poured through 11 floors of office space.
The mishap forced some businesses in the high-rise to evacuate while the mess was cleaned up. [Read more →]
April 15, 2009 No Comments
Cellphone ascendancy
Karaitiana Taiuru wrote recently about realising that his cellphone has become his most important gadget for connection, information and communication:
…i had misplaced my cell phone for 90 minutes. I was about to walk into a meeting when i realised my cell phone was not in any of my suit pockets. The over-powering sense of loss and displacement that i felt for that 90 minutes was peculiar and overwhelming.
At that point i realised that i did not know how to ring my business colleagues, dial any one of the many phone conferences i regularly participate in nor did i know how to ring any of my family. All of the phone numbers were stored in my cell phone along with other encrypted files that i require on a daily basis.
It makes me realise that if i was to have only one item for an extended time i would choose my cell phone second and my laptop first. Both items are my main communication lines to the world.
[Via Karaitiana Taiuru - Blog: Importance of a cell phone.]
So, if the cellphone is more important even than a laptop, how does that affect how community organisations might choose to connect with volunteers, funders, sponsors, 'clients' and the general public?
Does your website work for a cellphone user? Are your emails appropriate for cellphone users? Can people contact your organisation via txt message, or receive information via SMS?
How do cellphones play a role for your organisation?
July 17, 2008 No Comments
Txt to save power
One free power saving tip arrives on your cellphone each day. This is one way to keep people engaged and informed.
Free text POWER to 3642 and get FREE power saving tips direct to your mobile.
[Via Powersavers: Get free powersaving tips straight to your mobile!.]
If you txt that number you're added to a distribution list — which isn't very clear from the quoted section above. Once you send that txt, a reply lets you know you'll now receive a maximum of one text message per day, and that you can send 'Stop' to be removed from the distribution list.
June 22, 2008 No Comments
