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Actual for You - Making Sense of the Digital Divide: Literature Review
I read an article by Art Sobczak, (another sales trainer) and he wrote about an interview he heard with a police detective. The detective was talking about various interrogation techniques, and he said something that I thought was brilliant and totally applies to selling over the phone.The detective said that when you ask a question you should never say or do anything that might cause your subject (prospect) to stop talking.In other words, you listen. With full attention, and you don't interrupt. You don't ask other questions. You just keep listening even when you think they're done.In sales, and especially in inside sales where you don't have all those visual cues, listening is the most important thing you can learn how to do.Here are some techniques and tips you can begin using today to improve your listening:#1: Use a script. One of the biggest reasons sales reps don't listen is because they're too busy thinking about what they're going to say next. This is especially dangerous to do during the qualification stage when your prospect is revealing why they will and why they won't buy.You must script your questions!By using a script, you'll be able to really listen and so pay full attention to what your prospect is saying.#2: Don't interrupt. I can't tell you how many times I hear sales reps interrupting their prospects while they're still talking. Not only is this rude and disrespectful, but it shows they're really not listening.ic factors in his study. He confirms that the cost of setting up a system capable of Internet access is low on the list of priorities in many low-income families in both the US and the UK. Additionally, economic and taxation policies have widened the gap between rich and poor over the past two decades so that the digital divide compares with the economic divide. He reports that figures for UK family expenditure in 2000 showed Internet access at only three percent in the poorest households, and forty eight percent in the richest.
Additionally, Wyatt et al. (2000, p.28) highlight a 'persisting digital divide' in the rese
There are many different factors that help to define organizational culture. If someone wanted to make a full laundry list and get really specific, it wouldn't be surprising if over one hundred different things were listed: but most can be broke down into specific categories or factors that cover many of the smaller details of corporate culture. Here are a few of the factors that have a major hand in defining organizational culture in general.Conflict resolution. How much does the company encourage, or discourage, its employees to openly discuss any complaints. Do superiors listen to different opinions or just ignore them?Culture management. This factor is a measurement of how much the corporation is trying to actively be a part of an organization's culture and shaping it's direction, or if this is a non-factor which they just ignore. Companies with a strong cultural management tend to be on the same page as their employees and are more efficient. The company is seen as an identity that workers can be proud to be associated with.Feelings towards change. Are employees open towards change, or heavily resistant to it? Or just indifferent altogether. The answer to this question can tell you a lot about a company's culture and how efficient the workers and supervisors are going to be working together, especially during challenging times. Are employees in all parts of the organization encouraged to experiment and to take reasonable risks? Are mistakes viewed as a
- References were selected based upon authority, scope, currency, purpose, and objectivity
- Only electronic journals accessed via recommended University databases were used
- Only web pages from departmental web sites were used
- All references had clearly defined scopes
- All references were published within the last ten years
- References were primarily focussed on UK data backed up with secondary US and Global data.
The words 'digital divide' have become buzz words in the world of information management. This paper reviews the literature relating to its definition and when and where it originated. It questions if it is quantifiable, and if so how each type can be measured. Programs and methods to reduce the digital divide are evaluated at local, national, and global levels.
While world leaders make plans to bridge the divide, some commentators argue if the divide really exists, whilst others have opposing opinions as to what it actually is. Research by Hongladarom (2003) reports that some commentators believe the phrase should not be used at all and should be replaced with the more positive 'social inclusion'.
The phrase was first coined in 1995 by the US government when the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued the report titled 'Falling Through the Net' (Servon, 2002, p.2). The report highlighted the existence of a digital divide in America that separated those with access to information technology and those without.
Cullen (2003) describes the digital divide as 'the gap that exists in most countries between those with ready access to the tools, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and those without such access or skills'. Conversely, Servon (2002, p.2) reasons that 'the technology gap is only one link in a causal chain that has bound certain groups repeatedly to disadvantage. The digital divide is, therefore, a symptom of a much larger and more complex problem - the problem of persistent poverty and inequality'.
Similarly, Lax (2001, p.194) relates to such social and economic factors in his study. He confirms that the cost of setting up a system capable of Internet access is low on the list of priorities in many low-income families in both the US and the UK. Additionally, economic and taxation policies have widened the gap between rich and poor over the past two decades so that the digital divide compares with the economic divide. He reports that figures for UK family expenditure in 2000 showed Internet access at only three percent in the poorest households, and forty eight percent in the richest.
Additionally, Wyatt et al. (2000, p.28) highlight a 'persisting digital divide' in the resea
If you hire staff, you know how difficult it is to know from a resume and interview who is the best person for the job. It’s easy enough to establish credentials and even identify “hard” skills (such as keyboarding speed, mechanical skills etc).However, measuring the “soft” skills (communication skills, attitude and other personal qualities) is much harder.These skills are easily identifiable from writing, and as a Handwriting Analyst I help employers “read” the writing of their job applicants.Below is one list of soft skills, or personal qualities, much in demand with employers and how to identify them from handwriting.The brief descriptions include only the most obvious traits for each. A total report for an employer as to which candidates possess the greatest degree of these skills, would involve many more traits and an in depth evaluation.Employers want someone who can:1. Communicate Effectively Emotional responsiveness shown in moderate right hand slant Ability to communicate verbally shown in some open circle letters Good listener shown in some closed circle letters Empathy, shown in cup shaped base connections 2. Commit to the job including honesty, dependability and enthusiasm Honesty shown in clean, un-looped circle letters Rhythm or stability shown in a even rhythm of the writing Enthusiasm shown in long sweeping t-bars
The words 'digital divide' have become buzz words in the world of information management. This paper reviews the literature relating to its definition and when and where it originated. It questions if it is quantifiable, and if so how each type can be measured. Programs and methods to reduce the digital divide are evaluated at local, national, and global levels.
While world leaders make plans to bridge the divide, some commentators argue if the divide really exists, whilst others have opposing opinions as to what it actually is. Research by Hongladarom (2003) reports that some commentators believe the phrase should not be used at all and should be replaced with the more positive 'social inclusion'.
The phrase was first coined in 1995 by the US government when the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued the report titled 'Falling Through the Net' (Servon, 2002, p.2). The report highlighted the existence of a digital divide in America that separated those with access to information technology and those without.
Cullen (2003) describes the digital divide as 'the gap that exists in most countries between those with ready access to the tools, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and those without such access or skills'. Conversely, Servon (2002, p.2) reasons that 'the technology gap is only one link in a causal chain that has bound certain groups repeatedly to disadvantage. The digital divide is, therefore, a symptom of a much larger and more complex problem - the problem of persistent poverty and inequality'.
Similarly, Lax (2001, p.194) relates to such social and economic factors in his study. He confirms that the cost of setting up a system capable of Internet access is low on the list of priorities in many low-income families in both the US and the UK. Additionally, economic and taxation policies have widened the gap between rich and poor over the past two decades so that the digital divide compares with the economic divide. He reports that figures for UK family expenditure in 2000 showed Internet access at only three percent in the poorest households, and forty eight percent in the richest.
Additionally, Wyatt et al. (2000, p.28) highlight a 'persisting digital divide' in the rese
If you don’t, it could be that those who do are actually preoccupied with moving messages from one point to another using simple tactics like broadcast plugs, brochures and press releases.What’s missing from that picture, of course, is you as a manager doing something meaningful about the behaviors of those important audiences who most affect the business, non-profit, government agency or association sub-unit you manage.For example, the creation of the kind of external stakeholder behavior CHANGE that leads directly to achieving your managerial objectives. As well as your follow-through in persuading those key outside folks to your way of thinking by helping move them to take actions that allow your department, group, division or subsidiary to succeed.If true, there’s a lot missing from your control and oversight.Fortunately, the underlying premise on which public relations is based, is really proactive: people act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to- desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization the most, the public relations mission is usually accomplished.The good news emanating from that premise is that the right public relations planning really CAN alter individual perception and lead to changed behaviors amo
The phrase was first coined in 1995 by the US government when the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued the report titled 'Falling Through the Net' (Servon, 2002, p.2). The report highlighted the existence of a digital divide in America that separated those with access to information technology and those without.
Cullen (2003) describes the digital divide as 'the gap that exists in most countries between those with ready access to the tools, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and those without such access or skills'. Conversely, Servon (2002, p.2) reasons that 'the technology gap is only one link in a causal chain that has bound certain groups repeatedly to disadvantage. The digital divide is, therefore, a symptom of a much larger and more complex problem - the problem of persistent poverty and inequality'.
Similarly, Lax (2001, p.194) relates to such social and economic factors in his study. He confirms that the cost of setting up a system capable of Internet access is low on the list of priorities in many low-income families in both the US and the UK. Additionally, economic and taxation policies have widened the gap between rich and poor over the past two decades so that the digital divide compares with the economic divide. He reports that figures for UK family expenditure in 2000 showed Internet access at only three percent in the poorest households, and forty eight percent in the richest.
Additionally, Wyatt et al. (2000, p.28) highlight a 'persisting digital divide' in the rese
Entrepreneurs need like minded individuals to learn from and relate to. You can learn an enormous amount from mingling with other opportunity entrepreneurs. This also serves to become a source of profit and revenue too as members of the network pass on lucrative deals that they can't currently take on due to existing commitments.If you value a network of business associates then there is plenty of opportunity to develop contacts within your own sphere of specialization. Opportunity investment is a vast and broad umbrella term that composes of many different industries. Its true that real estate is what opportunity investors most often specialize in, however even in real estate you are free to specialize in segments like developing land, house rehab, commercial and a dozen other broad categories.To establish connections within your own sphere of specialization is very advantageous, but they don't have to be opportunity investors to be of value as a contact. For example, I particularly like yacht's and marine assets of all sizes and descriptions. Many from my network are simply knowledgeable and honest sales staff and sales managers of marine brokerages. They often inform me of deals going that are worth looking into. I also belong to several yacht clubs and associations. Often just getting involved in the places assets are occasionally disposed of is a great place to find the opportunities you need to build your bank balance.However the main point is to specialize and
Cullen (2003) describes the digital divide as 'the gap that exists in most countries between those with ready access to the tools, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and those without such access or skills'. Conversely, Servon (2002, p.2) reasons that 'the technology gap is only one link in a causal chain that has bound certain groups repeatedly to disadvantage. The digital divide is, therefore, a symptom of a much larger and more complex problem - the problem of persistent poverty and inequality'.
Similarly, Lax (2001, p.194) relates to such social and economic factors in his study. He confirms that the cost of setting up a system capable of Internet access is low on the list of priorities in many low-income families in both the US and the UK. Additionally, economic and taxation policies have widened the gap between rich and poor over the past two decades so that the digital divide compares with the economic divide. He reports that figures for UK family expenditure in 2000 showed Internet access at only three percent in the poorest households, and forty eight percent in the richest.
Additionally, Wyatt et al. (2000, p.28) highlight a 'persisting digital divide' in the rese
As a result of providing marketing consulting, training and coaching to a variety of individuals and industries over the years, I have come to recognize that people generally approach the business building process in one of two ways. Everyone tends to be what I identify as either Cultivators or Harvesters. The problem is the business building process requires both cultivation and harvesting. Read on to determine which you are and how to assure that you are both cultivating and harvesting new business.Harvesters are the great sales people of the world. These are the people that don’t mind, may even enjoy, spending two or three hours a day cold calling. They willingly spend a day starting at the first floor of an office building and visiting every office on every floor to try and get an appointment. Harvesters will close business. However, they also tend to leave a lot of green fruit on the tree because their approach is geared towards those individuals who have a need now and are willing and able to purchase – the so called low hanging fruit. Harvesters tend to move from orchard to orchard seeking out and picking whatever fruit is ripe at the time. They are constantly seeking out a new orchard that might have ripe fruit.Cultivators tend to rely on the other elements of the promotional mix such as advertising, direct mail, networking and public relations activities to develop business. Cultivators prepare the soil, plant the seeds,
Additionally, Wyatt et al. (2000, p.28) highlight a 'persisting digital divide' in the research conducted by the US Census Bureau on behalf of the NTIA in 1994, 1997, and 1998. Although substantial increases in PC and modem ownership were noted, the growth had taken place 'to a greater extent within some income levels, demographic groups and geographic areas, than in others'. This resulted in an 'even greater disparity in penetration levels among some groups'. The report concluded that in most cases the digital divide had widened.
None the less, Fink & Kenny (2003) challenge these definitions in their research and question the validity of the digital divide. They discuss four interpretations often used by commentators and their possible measurements:
- A gap in access to use of ICTs - crudely measured by the number and spread of telephones or web-enabled computers.
- A gap in the ability to use ICTs - measured by the skills base and the presence of numerous complimentary assets.
- A gap in actual use - the minutes of telecommunications for various purposes, the number and time online of users, the number of Internet hosts and the level of electronic commerce.
- A gap in the impact of use - measured by financial and economic returns.
They argue that 'looking at various measures of the digital divide, there is a divide in per-capita access to ICTs but developing countries show faster rates of growth in network development than developed countries. Moreover, when employing a per-income measure of access, developing countries already "digitally leapfrog" the developed world'.
There is no consensus on the extent of the divide or whether the divide is getting larger or smaller. Data supporting all four measurements is lacking and further research is needed to establish evidence to fully illustrate the status of the divide and it's growth or decline. However, researchers are mostly agreed that some sort of divide exists. Norris (2000) describes the divide as having more than one dimension: the social divide (the gap between information rich and information poor in a country); the democratic gap (the distribution of power and influences between those who do and do not make use of ICT to participate in politics); and the global divide (existing between the highly industrialized and developing countries).
The global divide was discussed on July 2000, by the leaders of the eight major industrialized democracies at the 26th G8 summit in Okinawa. The communiqu? (G8 Communiqu? Okinawa, 2000) confirms that their aim
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