Business Cost
Talking to people from different backgrounds brings some interesting insights. In times of economic meltdown and all the crisis people around the globe are even getting tired to hear about (and feel too), companies are looking for ways to cut costs.
One of the most usual ways is firing people. We have been seeing that around the globe. And Japan is no exception. So much that Japan is offering some money to some foreign workers to go back home... and don't come back. Anyway, that's a different subject. The point is that some people don't think that firing people is the best solution (and to defend Japanese companies, neither do they. Work-sharing approachs are on the rise).
I agree with that point of view, but what to do then? Although the problem has no simple solution, I've been in contact with some Japanese companies lately (because of job hunting and other activities) and I get impressed with some costs that, as individuals, we'd find outrageous.
Costs with transportation and telephones are one example. Companies often pay for transportation of its employees (when it is something work-related) - which even was the source of some scandals - and business calls. One example that surprised me a little was when a employee was calling a Brazilian company to discuss sales... from a mobile phone. I can hardly imagine how much a one-hour call bill would be.
I am not saying that companies should cut these benefits altogether, but regarding the "communication" part, Chinese friends say that many companies in China are using instant messaging tools as Skype or MSN or another program that is popular in China (I forgot the name) for business. Even if it is only for customer support.
Example: you need to look for a hotel. You check the hotel's web page and want to ask something, or even ask for the reservation already. The page has a link to their Skype/MSN/etc. account, so you can access, talk directly to an employee and solve your doubts.
I have to admit there are some risks as well, but the system is interesting. Even more considering that so many companies in other countries actually forbid their employees to use such software at work.
One of the most usual ways is firing people. We have been seeing that around the globe. And Japan is no exception. So much that Japan is offering some money to some foreign workers to go back home... and don't come back. Anyway, that's a different subject. The point is that some people don't think that firing people is the best solution (and to defend Japanese companies, neither do they. Work-sharing approachs are on the rise).
I agree with that point of view, but what to do then? Although the problem has no simple solution, I've been in contact with some Japanese companies lately (because of job hunting and other activities) and I get impressed with some costs that, as individuals, we'd find outrageous.
Costs with transportation and telephones are one example. Companies often pay for transportation of its employees (when it is something work-related) - which even was the source of some scandals - and business calls. One example that surprised me a little was when a employee was calling a Brazilian company to discuss sales... from a mobile phone. I can hardly imagine how much a one-hour call bill would be.
I am not saying that companies should cut these benefits altogether, but regarding the "communication" part, Chinese friends say that many companies in China are using instant messaging tools as Skype or MSN or another program that is popular in China (I forgot the name) for business. Even if it is only for customer support.
Example: you need to look for a hotel. You check the hotel's web page and want to ask something, or even ask for the reservation already. The page has a link to their Skype/MSN/etc. account, so you can access, talk directly to an employee and solve your doubts.
I have to admit there are some risks as well, but the system is interesting. Even more considering that so many companies in other countries actually forbid their employees to use such software at work.
2 comments:
igao, se uma empresa poe o funcionario em um hotel ruinzinho e o cliente fica sabendo onde ele ta hospedado, nao eh uma imagem ruim pra empresa? e pra falar no skype, o lag q tem pode atrapalhar a comunicacao, principalmente em assuntos urgentes, nao?
Era mais ou menos isso q queria dizer com lado ruim. Por isso acho que a ideia teria mais potencial como central de atendimento ou algo assim.
Mesmo assim, alguns gastos nesse sentido me parecem excessivos. Bom, talvez depois que comece a trabalhar eu entenda isso melhor
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