The first time I saw the Internet displayed was in 1995 at a Hamilton-Avnet open house for customers in the Boston area. Tom Thorsen, vice president of marketing and communications, showed me the ropes. He described an exciting method to communicate and sell products. And he was right.
Remembering that now, the Internet kind of looked like a simple PDF. It was not very interactive. I really remember the day because I could see the future as to how companies might use the system to market themselves. I sure could not imagine the explosion and impact it has had on the world... and it was really only a few years ago that the names Google, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn became ingrained in our vocabulary. Since the early to mid-1990s, I have probably sent and received 8 zillion emails.
One interesting question I have been asked a few times: How do I reach a busy executive like you? My answer: A letter. I get only a few direct mail pieces and probably one or two letters per week. I get 300+ emails a day, so old-school snail mail works, because it breaks through the noise. Send a third mailer, and you will really have me.
Avnet employees receive approximately 2 million emails per day, 87 percent of which are determined to be spam, which is filtered out by special software (thank goodness) by our IT folks. I feel like I get the 13 percent left. I sit at my computer way too long deleting emails when I should be out meeting with people or at least taking a nap. My guess is I spend 20 minutes a day deleting spam x 300 days = 100 hours... geez, two-plus weeks a year? How about you?
I shake my head when I see marketers placing too much emphasis on digital efforts. Yeah, I know it's free to send, and you can measure the analytics and ROI. What you can't measure is how many people are pissed off because you sent the damn email, or if your company name is put in the back of your potential clients' brain as a spammer. I will never understand why companies and people don't brand themselves with advertising, PR, or going to or sponsoring an event more. Maybe someone will email you or even call for more information or order something... hmm, that would be novel. In my opinion, branding does not happen sending emails.
Adenji, technology helps us in automating things around us and makes life easier for us. However, with technology the worst fear that people have is that it will make their existence in an enterprise or a working envoirnment doubtful.
You are correct. In a perfect world the Governments would be responsible for such things. Unfortunately, that is not the case therefore NGO's and private sector organizations will have to do the work.
Yes, I believe you. I also know why they ask for a handwritten application.
Some universities require the same from students, to send a handwritten application of certain length, in addition to the online application.
The reason why some complanies require a handwritten application is to do a graphological study of the potential employee. Graphology is the study and analysis of the handwriting, and is extremely accurate. Through a graphological study they can learn about aspects of the candidate's character and personality that otherwise would be difficult to know.
During an interview, a candidate can trick the interviewer. Through a graphological study the candidate can be seen through a crystal clear glass. This is especially useful for some top rank positions where certain specific type of character and personality are required.
In a perfect world governments would be taking care of all those things, especially the basics, to make people's lives easier. As we see, everything is interconnected. If there is no eletricity there can't be technology. There are some NGOs doing good work in some parts of the world -I know they do in Africa-. Maybe one day the whole world will be able to enjoy the same benefits of technological and scientifical advancement.
In a nutshell, I think that email will continue to be an extensively used medium for communication (whereever the facility is available). However, in areas where there is no electricity nor internet, unfortunately the snail mail will persist for the time being.
Yes, I know. But I also know there are still parts of the world where they don't have electricity in all the homes, or a member of the family -usually a kid- has to walk long distances to bring drinkable water to the house. And other things.
Snail mail will probably continue to exist in many parts of the world, and yet, we are discussing about the convenience of e-mail, and its advantages over snail mail.
Last week, I received another invitation in my mail with a note saying that if I wish to continue receiving the invitations I have to add/update my contact information online because as from now on they will send out invitations by email only.
@susan, You may not believe this but some companies here still requires applicants to submit their application in handwritten mail, and this is not as a result of setback in technology, they just demand for it for a reason best known to them.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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