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| Path: Main Street : NewsWeek : Op/Ed : Audience Opinions |
Many organizations are providing employees with Internet access in order to help them acquire the information they need to better do their jobs, as well as to communicate with colleagues, suppliers and clients cost-effectively. What's your opinion about Internet access for employees? All things considered, is it a time-saver or a time waster? Which Internet services would you really miss, if they weren't available?
The issue isn't whether or not employees should have access to the internet..some truly should given it's potential. The real issue is how to train employees on properly utilizing the 'net so that they have the capability to use it to its full advantage without wasting a lot of time mucking about.Susan and Dwight Peters
As the person responsible for the management of the Canadian office of Children's Miracle Network, I have just recently made Internet access available to the rest of our office (there are only 4 of us here in total). After discussing the number of phone calls we make to our various member children's hospitals/foundations, it became evident that "telephone tag" was becoming expensive. Since a majority of our members now have e-mail access, it is our hope that everyone - staff and members included - will use this tool wisely as a cost-efficient means of communication. Not only do we hope to save time and money on wasted telephone "chit-chat", but also save on mass faxing. So in answer to the first part of your question, yes, it is a time-saver. Which services would we really miss? I can not answer this question for only e-mail and web browsing are being utilized at this time.Derek MacPhail
Time on the internet could be better used if organizations purchased/subscribed to specific data bases or services, list serves, whatever.Robin D. Holmes
I believe that Internet is a great tool for all types of organizations and individuals. The recommendation of Internet in offices goes without saying at the moment, because of the fact that its sites are free for the better part.. But this fact is starting to change rapidly. The companies are doing the same thing that was done with the ITM or Interac cards. Soon this economical and affordable means of staying up to date for non-profit organizations will be but a memory. I'm afraid that the idea of the poor = ignorant is going to be enforced by this ever so overwhelming trend of making money, or should I say trying tp please "God Money"! Once again the poor will be bereaved of their right to knowledge and growth.Aimé St-Cyr
Having recently retired from an Internet services company to work full-time with a charitable organization, my perspective at this time is that I feel that most people who have looked into this issue have missed the point completely. The Internet is not luring these people away from their work - if they aren't working as they should be there are other factors at play.There is no question that the Internet is an important and effective, if not essential, communications and research tool for most workers in this day and age. While it may offer more modern diversions than the old standby - daydreaming - there is not really much difference. Workers who are interested, motivated, and respectful of their employers will not waste their time surfing the net (well, not excessively...) whereas those who are disinterested, unmotivated, and bitter will do as they have always done, get their revenge by taking five minutes extra on their coffee break, an extra ten at lunch, and some time on the 'net in between before ducking out early for the day.
Keenan Wellar, Special Needs Network (SNN)
Internet access will be functional for my employee colleagues when there are easier ways of limiting time on the internet. It is too easy to spend a lot of time surfing without much of a focus. Also I think the more immediate access will be given to senior staff and research staff.Alan Goard
I am an employee working in one of the charities in Kuwait/Arabian Gulf and I have been using Internet for six months. I know it's a short period to know every thing in the world wide web or evaluate the all services given but actually I benefitted so much from the latest news released from international charities and I think this facility would be helpful if offered to all employees who need to know more information about their field. It doesn't mean that we as employees will misuse this facility and waste our times with it but this matter should be arranged with our executives to determine specific hours to have an access to the internet. This is my point of view and I hope you will kindly accept it. Thank you for giving me a chance to talk to you. Looking forward to your reply.Ms. Montaha Abdulla
Over the last 18 months we have re-egnineered our business completely to fit the dynamic nature of the internet. This method of delivery has unquestionably changed how often and in what manner we communicate within our client and supplier community. The ease of access and use of e-mail such as this communication offer us choices we did not have a few years ago.The challenge is to find a fit for internet use into our daily timetable that is both productive from a time management and time efficient point of view. The internet can be a significant productivity tool for fundraisers but it will not solve all of problems. People make the difference, not machines. The approach we use to integrate internet use into our offices is crucial to the stability and growth of our organizations. Patience and planning always win out at the end of the day.
Terry Burton, President Rainforest Publications
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