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More businesses adopt the tablet
Nearly a quarter of small British businesses (23%) are using or trialling tablets at work, according to research published by PC World Business. The research reveals that despite tablets being aimed at casual users, an increasing number of SMEs and entrepreneurs are using them for professional use too.
Of the 1,200 UK SME business leaders surveyed, the majority (61%) said they use or would use tablets, such as the Blackberry Playbook or iPad 2, for catching up on emails or for working on the go. Over a third (35%) use tablets for taking notes in meetings and informal presentations to clients (33%).
“There’s been a wave of new tablets released recently which is clearly being embraced by Britain’s tech savvy small businesses,“ comments Phil Birbeck, managing director, PC World Business.
The research also found over three quarters (80%) of those using tablets are senior-level management, directors and CEOs.
Southampton Airport has armed its team of airport ambassadors with iPads to take customer service to the next level.
Airport ambassador Barbara Houghton assists with an enquiry
Airport ambassadors assist passengers with hundreds of enquiries each day and are now able to use the iPad to answer almost any questions put to them: from the time of the next train, the weather at their destination, cruise ship information, and even translating brochures into foreign languages.
Neil Garwood, head of customer service for Southampton Airport, said: “Our team is trained to help with passenger enquiries right across the airport, rather than from behind a desk.“
It’s time to capitalise on the growing green market
Construction companies in the Solent could benefit from growing demand for eco-friendly energy, according to training provider, New Career Skills.
The firm, which trains people for careers as plumbers, electricians and in renewables and microgeneration, says that government feed in tariffs and the upcoming Green Deal have created huge consumer demand for renewable energy technologies such as solar PV panels, thermal hot water, ground source and air source heat pumps.
New Career Skills’ CEO, Steven Wines, said this has, in turn, created a need for more people to be trained in their installation: “There is a huge opportunity
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here for electrical and plumbing firms to diversify their businesses and capitalise on the growing green market. The issue of the environment and renewable energy is getting bigger, year after year, and businesses in the Solent region need to arm their staff with the correct skills to negate the possibility of a future skills’ shortage.
“According to recent research, the demand for solar power worldwide is expected to increase by 25% by 2013. In these difficult times for the construction and trades industries, this could well prove a golden opportunity for diversification of revenue streams and company growth. All these firms need to do now is arm their staff with the necessary skills.“
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – SEPTEMBER 2011
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