Think the time you spend answering e-mail, composing IMs, and trolling Twitter doesn't have an impact? Think again. A recent study by research firm Basex puts the "cost of unnecessary interruptions" in terms of lost productivity and innovation at a shocking $650 billion. Merlin Mann blogged about the cost of...
When tough times come, too many CEOs knee jerk themselves into cost-cutting mode. Big mistake, write two Booz & Co. consultants. What's needed instead is a smart, targeted investment strategy, say Cesare Mainardi and Paul Leinwand in a recent Booz report. By making an intelligent study of...
So you've got iCal at home, Outlook at work, Google Calendar on the Web -- that's three calendars to manage! Calgoo Connect promises to keep these and other calendars in sync, and it's now available free of charge. Specifically, the Calgoo sync program is available for both...
Every four years, we are treated to the spectacle of journalists and moderators asking tough, pointed questions of presidential candidates, only to have the candidates completely ignore the questions and launching into their pre-planned talking points. And every four years, corporate spokespeople wonder -- is that how...
As any Google Calendar user knows, having a copy of your appointment schedule on the Web can really come in handy. Now Outlook users can sync their calendars with Windows Live Calendar thanks to a new beta version of the Microsoft Outlook Connector. When we first looked...
This past weekend I attended BlogHer '08, an annual conference that attracts primarily female bloggers from all spheres of interest. I expected to get a lot of value out of the workshops and panel discussions, and I did, but I also got a bonus benefit: sparks of inspiration fostered by...
Download this TechRepublic Resource Guide for important information on starting, implementing, and maintaining an e-mail archive and storage policy in your organization. This guide includes these three articles: IT faces regulatory requirements for electronic communications archiving Where to start in archiving your organization's e-mail E-mail...
This TechRepublic Resource Guide offers up the top 10+ tips everyone needs to know about Customer Relationship Management and how to provide great customer service. This Guide provides you with factors to keep in mind as you begin to explore possible CRM solutions for your organization as well as lists...
Despite decades of reengineering, large companies still have problems with their business operations. They duplicate processes. They perform hundreds of noncore tasks that should be outsourced. And they spend vast sums on proprietary process-management software that's...
Healthcare is in crisis. While this is not news for many countries, we believe what is now different is that the current paths of many healthcare systems around the world will become unsustainable by 2015. Healthcare systems that fail to transform will likely require immediate and major forced restructuring -...
Intelligent energy. Let's get smart about yielding and wielding power. The Innovation that Matters: Energy & Climate video explores intelligent energy and ways that collaboration can result in more energy while still protecting the environment.
Let's just cut to the chase, shall we? Business travel sucks. It's always been difficult. Today it's horrendous. In the next few years it could be unbearable as airlines consolidate routes and pile on fees. So veteran business traveler Marshall Goldsmith checks in to Harvard Business with...
CRM has become a key business paradigm for organizations seeking to cultivate and expand their customer relationships, but many implementations fail because of misconceptions and unrealistic expectations. Here's a look at the other side of the coin: a successful CRM implementation. Download this TechRepublic Resource Guide for...
This is a little weekend item about Maui Jim, the sunglass maker. I've had Maui Jims for several years now, but I continue to be blown away by their commitment to customer service and how it makes me feel about their brand. They're not cheap (mine cost about $200 and...
Indispensable Outlook plug-in Xobni just released version 1.4, adding integration with social-networking service LinkedIn. Users will now see a contact's LinkedIn profile data (job title, company, and photo), assuming he/she has any, in their Xobni sidebar. Clicking the accompanying LinkedIn logo takes you to that contact's page on the service. Also...
Is better analytics the key to business success? In his "The Halcyon Days of Analytics," Steve Finikiotis of management consultant Osprey Associates argues that firms should be using analytics more effectively. It's an intriguing post, but a little thin on specifics. To wit, this statement: ...
A career as a Dental Assistant will open many doors of opportunity. Dental Assistants will be among the highest growing occupations from now until next few years. This is because people are starting to take a better interest in their oral health. Technological advances have led many individuals to the...
Who ever thought working together would be so difficult? Choosing collaboration tools is an increasingly political endeavor, notes David Coleman. Instead of being a solely technical decision, the process often ends up in the boardroom for major discussion. Writes Coleman: So why are collaboration tools so...
