Virtual Business Virtual Communication Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

2 “Copyright and Terms of Service Copyright © Texas Education Agency. The materials found on this website are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the Texas Education Agency, except under the following conditions: 1)Texas public school districts, charter schools, and Education Service Centers may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for the districts’ and schools’ educational use without obtaining permission from the Texas Education Agency; 2) Residents of the state of Texas may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for individual personal use only without obtaining written permission of the Texas Education Agency; 3) Any portion reproduced must be reproduced in its entirety and remain unedited, unaltered and unchanged in any way; 4) No monetary charge can be made for the reproduced materials or any document containing them; however, a reasonable charge to cover only the cost of reproduction and distribution may be charged. Private entities or persons located in Texas that are not Texas public school districts or Texas charter schools or any entity, whether public or private, educational or non-educational, located outside the state of Texas MUST obtain written approval from the Texas Education Agency and will be required to enter into a license agreement that may involve the payment of a licensing fee or a royalty fee.

Communication with... Customers, and potential customersThe clientEmployeesSuppliersCompetitorsPeople contracted to outsource functionsVirtual assistant 3 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Web 2.0 Tools What is “Web 2.0”? –Second generation Internet use focusing on collaboration and interacting socially –Online tools to help online businesses with many functions 4 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Types of Web 2.0 Communication Tools Wikis Blogs QR codes Social media Online surveys Video conferencing Wireless web Cell phone 5 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Cell Phones Cell phone apps to increase your sales Ease of access to your site Text messages for upcoming events Immediate communication, except for voic Relatively low-cost option Not intended for file transfers or large audiences 6 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Wireless Web Wireless Internet connection Access the office without being at an office Any time, anywhere access Vehicle for web 2.0 tools Used extensively for document transfers 7 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Video Conferencing Communicate visually Real-time communication Live meetings Options for low-cost services Immediate communication Immediate decision-making Not intended for file transfers 8 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Online Surveys To get customer feedback Obtain customer preferences Aid with product design Can help improve service Can put a deadline for responses 9 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Business purposes: –To advise employees on procedures –To provide a record of events –To pass on information to a large number of people –To promote goodwill –To direct others to perform a task –Good tool if cost is an issue –May not be opened, read immediately 10 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Social Media Can build brand awareness Market products on social media sites Form of communication Customer reviews 11 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

QR Codes Resemble bar codes “QR” means quick response Contain data such as: –Product information –Contact information –Web address –Pricing information Providing information without file transferring 12 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Blogs Customer comments about products Customer comments about companies and customer service Status updates Employee comments and stories Can include links to company web site and other information Can create interaction among people 13 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Wikis Great for teamwork Marketing campaigns Collaboration among employees Provide information for potential customers Projects 14 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Activities Requiring Virtual Communication Tools FinanceHuman ResourcesSalesOrganizationBusiness Projects 15 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Finance Tools Online spreadsheet applications to make sharing data easy Budgeting tools Tools for making investment decisions Credit tools 16 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Human Resources Online recruiting tools Tools for checking bookmarks in specific subject matter areas to conduct research on job trends Benefits information Performance reviews Training and career development 17 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Sales Tools that can generate leads through tracking web site traffic Tracks communication related to sales Customer outreach tools 18 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Organization Tools to collect resources –notebooks –binders Share resources with others Web-based bulletin board to post notes and files Task management –calendars –task reminders 19 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Projects Project-based collaboration Online task management Scheduling tools Time tracking Gantt charts Calendars Managing documents 20 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Independent Practice Assignments Media Solutions Chart Assignment #1 – Students will create a spreadsheet with types of communication tools displayed on one axis and criteria (or situation) displayed on another axis. The spreadsheet data itself should include how well-suited the communication tool is for the situation. For example, if urgency is important to the situation, would the medium of or fax be more appropriate? Another example is a customer complaint issue – would a blog be appropriate or a phone call or ? Use indicators that identify most appropriate, average, or inappropriate for each situation as it relates to each tool. The Social Networking Connection Presentation Assignment #2 – Students will research the effect that social networking has had on business today. They will create a presentation using presentation management software or an online presentation web site that students can register for addressing the following topics on different ‘slides’: 21 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved

Independent Practice Assignments (continued) 1) what general purposes businesses are using social media for, 2) the most common social networking sites, 3) benefits to business in using these sites, and 4) a list of three businesses who are using social networking sites and what they are specifically using them for. Web 2.0 Tools Brochure Assignment #3 – Students are to create a brochure that displays at least five different Web 2.0 tools and at least two ways they would be used for different business purposes. They are to clearly identify each tool with the appropriate use of design principles. Identify one company for each tool. Students are to use appropriate graphics, explanations, and labels for each of the tools. 22 Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved