Wireless Technology: Advocacy for use in Human Resources

An interesting challenge has come across my desk and with it a fair amount of research into any mobile programmes being used as solutions for Human Resource issues.

Of course actual documented case studies are seldom shared, however, it is obvious that academics discuss the use of mobile technology as a communication tool in Human Resources when used as an immediate and cost effective channel for interaction with employees in varied areas pertinent to employee well being and corporate communication. One example that i did come across was "MD on Tap" which i thought was a brilliant marketing initiative to give employees the feeling that they had direct access to a senior person to whom they could voice any problems and stresses they felt.

The challenges I will addressing are associated with an already existing wellness programme where the client is wanting to engage more men into the programme as well as offer solutions for stress management. These areas are clearly associated with personal development and incentive based solutions. I believe no other technology is better poised in our market than mobile. In a country where a cellphone is the first and only communication devise for many and penetrates down into poorer households, an enormous opportunity to engage these people exists.

Here are some of the deliverables for mobile in Human Resources:

• Information about job openings
• Programme information and updates
• Managing health issues on a personalised basis – e.g. If a person is on a TB course of meds. an SMS reminder to get their medication refilled or health tips including nutrition
• Responsible Sex programmes
• Relevant mapping and information locator services e.g. Hospitals, doctors, ATM’s
• User reporting system: SMS a keyword this matches up to a database and relevant response is initiated e.g. Work or community emergency
• Social service grants
• News services: community news, sports results, lotto draw etc

The Key components of a project like this are:

• A cause or purpose / clear objective
• Content: Information
• Engaging mechanism: voting, polling, Q&A etc
• Incentives which can be content based to stimulate loyalty e.g. 2010 football, Elections services, weather updates and airtime.
• Interface to collect incoming information and data: project status, emergencies, requests

I believe that mobile can be super effective and efficient, not to mention cost effective. interactive communication is becoming expected and mobile can deliver solutions that are personalised and targeted.

All of these reasons convincingly advocate mobile as an intervention tool for Human Resource's departments to communicate, motivate and bridge closer ties with their employees.

Women in Telecommunications - Powerful

Here's a topic i have longed to write about and recently i saw a wonderful piece on Women in Silicon valley in the fortune magazine. It was really inspirational and once again opened my mind to thoughts about women in business and how they work around power and gender issues. Having recently gone through a struggle against these matters, I know that i am not the only women who is forced to confront power and leadership aptitude in the workplace. What really startles me though is how women don't help each other in these situations (although i had a silent guardian angel during this recent experience). Without going into a long song and dance about why this happens, what amazed me about the Fortune article was how these high-powered women from Facebook, Google, Yahoo and Accel, created a network and are supporting each other, whether it is sharing how to manage situations, sharing strategy and work advise, but also communicating their personal challenges, all are married with small children and this is as important in their lives. Once could say they have it all, but we all know balance is the key to enjoying everything you have.

What did I get from this example of women pooling together for their own good and the good of other women in business? Well I have decided that replicating this idea of a social network, both online (with women in other geographies) and social gatherings has to be something worthwhile. So I am inviting women from the mobile, IT and Internet industries to join the club.

I am calling the group PowerWomen Technology! I am planning on building us an assemblage of women who are interested in investing in themselves and each other, that understand good work ethics and developing will and strength to face all obstacles. In addition we could create a directory of women in our industry. Lets see how PowerWomen in Technology can do it!

Find POWERWOMEN TECHNOLOGY ON FACEBOOK.COM

Advertising Agencies are missing out on measurable marketing

One thing I know about mobile marketing in South Africa is that advertising agencies are missing out on the most measurable marketing and customer research tool ever! Having visited and spoken with many major agencies around the country, I am aghast at how completely unknowledgeable and in some cases, deeply in denial advertising agencies are about the magnitude of their disregard. Despite evidence and success stories that some brands and businesses have shown in the past year, advertising agencies are still not integrating mobile marketing, advertising, social networking and promotional tools into their strategies.

Knowledge, or a lack of it is to blame as far as i'm concerned and maybe there is not enough dialog and resources available to all levels within agencies. I for one have seen only a few conferences offered and always attended by other mobile industry people, which kind of defeats the object.

I would love to know what the case is within agencies and the dynamics at work that make mobile marketing with its unlimited options in the social networking space undesireable to agencies.