e-Business
Over the last 30 years ICT has changed the way that we work immensely. Some businesses have disappeared and no longer exist, other businesses have emerged as technology has been developed and brand new businesses are created.
Technology has led to a huge change in working house. Many people now work shifts (including night shifts) or even weekends in order to provide the service that customers expect. Customers expect to be able to call their bank at any time of the day; someone has to be there to answer that call. Customers expect to be able to buy goods online 24/7; someone has to be there to ensure that the website is up and running and that the servers don't fail. Computers have enabled us to become more of a 24/7/365 business environment.
Advantages to the consumer:
- Convenience – for some people, physically travelling to the shops is difficult
- Compare prices – you can easily find the best price for the item
- Selection available – there is a far greater choice online.
- Customer Reviews – can help influence your purchase.
- Availability – Online stores are always open.
Disadvantages to the consumer:
Advantages to the retailer
Disadvantages to the retailer
Your consumer rights
When you buy an item from a trader (eg a shop or online shop) the law says the item must be:
If an item doesn’t meet any of these rights, it is faulty and you will usually have the right to a:
If the trader makes a fault known to you and you buy the item, you can’t return it unless you discover a different fault.
You have fewer rights if you buy your item from a private seller, eg in an online auction or from a newspaper advert. The items only have to match the description given by the seller and be theirs to sell.
You also have rights if you buy a service or sign up to a contract, eg if you a hire a builder or join a gym.
Returning items to a shop - Keep your receipts. You will need some ‘proof of purchase’ to return faulty items to a shop such as:
If there is nothing wrong with the item, you don’t have the legal right to return it. Some shops may let you return the item if you provide the proof of purchase that the shop wants, eg a receipt. Check the shop’s returns policy before you buy.
Your right to change your mind: You usually have seven working days to cancel your order and ask for your money back if you buy something:
Safety when paying online
There are different methods to paying for goods/services online. These include credit card, debit card and third party payment systems.
If you use a credit/debit card there are security systems in place. As you pay, you will be asked to provide the card holders name, the card number and the CCV code. The CCV code is a 3 digit code on the reverse of the card and it is an extra layer of security. If the card has been cloned they will not have been able to ‘get hold of’ this 3 digit number.
CCV code stands for: Credit Card Validation Code
Visa also add a further layer of security when you sign up for the Verify by Visa Scheme. This means that when you card is used to pay online for a product the person using the card also has to provide a password before the purchase takes place. This means that even if your card is stolen it is unlikely that the person will be able to use your card because they will not know your password.
Secure Sites
If a site is secure it should display ‘https’. The ‘s’ stands for secure. The padlock symbol will also be evident either in the address bar or at the bottom of the page. The padlock indicates that the website owners have been investigated and found to be trustworthy by the organisations that issue security certificates. If you click on the padlock, you can view the certificate.
These websites will use encryption to protect your data. SSL (Secure Socket Layer) – a method of encrypting data to provide security for communications being sent over networks such as the Internet.
TLS (Transport Layer Security) is a later version of SSL.
Teleworking
Telecommuting or telework is a work arrangement in which employees enjoy flexibility in working location and hours. In other words, the daily commute to a central place of work is replaced by telecommunication links. Many work from home, while others, occasionally also referred to as nomad workers or web commuters utilize mobile telecommunications technology to work from coffee shops or other locations.
THE BENEFITS:
Telecommuting offers benefits to communities, employers, and employees.
- Delivery – you have to pay and wait for it to arrive. Sometimes it can be expensive.
- Try before buying – you cannot see or try the products, you have the added issue of returning them if they are not suitable.
- Viewing on-screen – you might be disappointed when the product arrives, it might look different.
- Payment method – the only way of paying for goods is using a credit or debit card or through ‘third-party payment processors’ such as Paypal
- Digital access – not everybody has access to the Internet or the computer skills to be able to shop online.
- Fear of Fraud - People worry about online fraud and giving out their details
Advantages to the retailer
- Access to a larger market place (lots more people across the country/world can buy from you) – more customers!
- Less overheads such as having to pay for a shop – this can mean more profit or allows them to provide the goods for cheaper therefore giving them more sales.
Disadvantages to the retailer
- People may not have access to a computer to purchase from your online store
- They might be nervous about buying online due to the risk of fraud
- They may be put off buying a product if it has negative reviews
Viral Marketing
You need to know what it is. Viral marketing is a method of marketing your product using technology and the Internet, in a way that is quite different to traditional marketing methods. This might simply be creating a video clip that is funny and posting it online, people then share the link to the video - hence it spreads like a virus. Or it might be more inventive like the 'Dark Knight' clip shows. Here are some examples:Your consumer rights
When you buy an item from a trader (eg a shop or online shop) the law says the item must be:
- of satisfactory quality – last for the time you would expect it to and be free of any defects
- fit for purpose – fit for the use described and any specific use you made clear to the trader
- as described – match the description on packaging or what the trader told you
If an item doesn’t meet any of these rights, it is faulty and you will usually have the right to a:
- repair
- replacement
- refund
If the trader makes a fault known to you and you buy the item, you can’t return it unless you discover a different fault.
You have fewer rights if you buy your item from a private seller, eg in an online auction or from a newspaper advert. The items only have to match the description given by the seller and be theirs to sell.
You also have rights if you buy a service or sign up to a contract, eg if you a hire a builder or join a gym.
Returning items to a shop - Keep your receipts. You will need some ‘proof of purchase’ to return faulty items to a shop such as:
- a receipt
- a bank statement
- the shop’s packaging
- a witness – someone who saw you buy it
If there is nothing wrong with the item, you don’t have the legal right to return it. Some shops may let you return the item if you provide the proof of purchase that the shop wants, eg a receipt. Check the shop’s returns policy before you buy.
Your right to change your mind: You usually have seven working days to cancel your order and ask for your money back if you buy something:
Source of Consumer Rights information: www.direct.gov.uk
Safety when paying online
There are different methods to paying for goods/services online. These include credit card, debit card and third party payment systems.
If you use a credit/debit card there are security systems in place. As you pay, you will be asked to provide the card holders name, the card number and the CCV code. The CCV code is a 3 digit code on the reverse of the card and it is an extra layer of security. If the card has been cloned they will not have been able to ‘get hold of’ this 3 digit number.
CCV code stands for: Credit Card Validation CodeVisa also add a further layer of security when you sign up for the Verify by Visa Scheme. This means that when you card is used to pay online for a product the person using the card also has to provide a password before the purchase takes place. This means that even if your card is stolen it is unlikely that the person will be able to use your card because they will not know your password.
Secure Sites
If a site is secure it should display ‘https’. The ‘s’ stands for secure. The padlock symbol will also be evident either in the address bar or at the bottom of the page. The padlock indicates that the website owners have been investigated and found to be trustworthy by the organisations that issue security certificates. If you click on the padlock, you can view the certificate.
These websites will use encryption to protect your data. SSL (Secure Socket Layer) – a method of encrypting data to provide security for communications being sent over networks such as the Internet.
TLS (Transport Layer Security) is a later version of SSL.
Teleworking
Telecommuting or telework is a work arrangement in which employees enjoy flexibility in working location and hours. In other words, the daily commute to a central place of work is replaced by telecommunication links. Many work from home, while others, occasionally also referred to as nomad workers or web commuters utilize mobile telecommunications technology to work from coffee shops or other locations.
THE BENEFITS:
Telecommuting offers benefits to communities, employers, and employees.
For communities
- telecommuting can offer fuller employment (by increasing the employ-ability, such as Work at home parents and caregivers, the disabled, retirees, and people living in remote areas),
- reduces traffic congestion and traffic accidents, relieves the strain on transportation infrastructures, reduces greenhouse gases, saves fuel, reduces energy use.
- telecommuting expands the talent pool, they are able to employ people who live far away.
- reduces the spread of illness,
- reduces costs,
- increases productivity (there are less distractions)
- reduces their carbon footprint and energy usage,
- reduces staff turnover and absenteeism,
- improves employee morale,
- telecommuting, or more specifically, work from home arrangements, means you can work the hours that suit you and your family,
- improves work-life balance,
- reduces their carbon footprint and fuel usage,
- frees up the equivalent of 15 to 25 workdays a year—time they would have otherwise spent commuting,
- saves travel and work-related costs
THE ISSUES:
For individuals
For individuals
- It is hard to feel like you can ever get away from work.
- You might end up working longer hours than you would in an office. You think, 'I'll just do a bit more, I'll just check my email'.
- You might always be 'on call'. Because you are at home, the office might think that you are always available to do just a bit more work
- Sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself. There can be a lot of distractions and you might be tempted to do other things rather than work
- You can miss out on the social side of work. There is no team spirit, no one to talk to and you can feel lonely
- It might affect your career prospects. If a promotion comes up in the office, you might not be thought about for the role.
- They are not always sure that people are putting in the right amount of hours
- Work might not be delivered on time
- Workers might not be at home to receive an email or urgent telephone call
- Work might be of a lower standard than when produced in the office
- Hard to motivate staff and have a feeling of a good company spirit.
- Managers still like face to face contact with employees
- Firms might have to address the criticism that they are running 'digital sweatshops'
- There might be legal issues such as insurance and health and safety implications
No comments:
Post a Comment