Rather than bother everybody's Twitter stream with updates, I thought it would be better to provide presentation thoughts here (and serves as good note-taking for me).
Pete Tosches, The ServiceMaster Company: "'Who Uses That Website Anyway?' Communication Secrets from the Front Lines"
- Under the ServiceMaster umbrella are brands like TruGreen, Terminix, and merry maids.
- They have 24,000 full-time employees & another 5,000 seasonal, with no work PCs, no email and no office phone.
- Producitivity drives revenue, which is why it's a tough conversation to invest in employee communications.
- Only 58% of employees agreed that leadership communicates a vision that motivates them.
- Face-to-face communication is vital to internal communication at ServiceMaster. They have a mandatory monthly branch meeting for one hour "on the clock."
- The meetings were key for employees to be able to share what the customers were telling them. The feedback loop became very important.
- Like Volkswagen, ServiceMaster still sends home quaterly newsletter mailing to sales and service employees' homes. This highlights the "spouse factor."
- The company is dipping its big toe in the social media water. They are encouraging employees to listen to the online conversation as part of improving communication. Yammer is also part of the strategy.
- In a company that's operation-focused, they need to provide basic communication tools (ride-alongs, town halls, podcasts, etc) to hear back from employees.
- They rely on 3-way communication, and the the most important "way" is employee to employee conversations.
- ServiceMaster has to use paper-based communication and face-to-face to tell employees about the information available online.
I just spent the past several days in Washington DC, attending the inaugural
GovComm 2011 show. This new show is focused on serving WDC area technology managers, end users and procurement officers in the government sector and other local markets. With our hardware partner
DFI Tech, we’ve been showcasing our
HumanKiosk solution and have received a lot of attention and interest.
As with today’s commercial businesses, government agencies and institutions such as libraries and museums are also looking for new, innovative and cost-effective ways of getting their messages directly to their constituents, in a manner that is more relevant and personally engaging. Given that our HumanKiosk solution, powered by
MediaCast Video Presence, fuses interactive digital signage with live and intelligent 2-way video calling, we’ve again hit a sweet spot with our audience here at this government show.
Most of the government buyers I’ve spoken with over the past two days were especially interested in using the HumanKiosk solution to reach remote, highly targeted audiences in a compelling and personal manner. Of significant interest was our ability to provide intelligent video call routing. This enables the user in front of the display to make specific on-screen selections, then have a face-to-face conversation with a remote expert agent who has detailed subject matter expertise conversation, even in the native language of the viewer.
As we’ve seen at other government shows, such as the G-Tech conference, providing a more interactive and engaging method of servicing customers is top of mind with today’s government buyers. And, by delivering live experts virtually through video presence, labor costs and associated on-site expenses can be dramatically reduced. If you haven’t seen our
video yet, take a moment to see how you can get personal with your customers.
Simon Wilson
CEO, MediaTile
Hands down one of the top markets we are seeing for new
digital signage installations is healthcare. And this includes hospitals, medical office buildings and so forth. But their networks are a little different than others because they are much more multi-faceted.
Often times within the same network, you'll see a hospital (for example) use a network to aid external branding AND internal branding. They're doing customer marketing AND employee communications. They are also using signage to deliver critical health-related messaging to the audiences.
On Wednesday, September 21, we are hosting a
free webinar with Domican Hospital, a member of Catholic Healthcare West. While many of our healthcare clients utilize in-house WiFi to network screens, learn why Dominican Hospital chose cellular as their preferred networking choice.
Sign up today and hear from an organization who has successfully deployed a digital signage network for heatlhcare.
One thing I've learned about
digital signage networks is that every single one is different. Here's an example. I was on-site at a company headquarters yesterday with Verizon Wireless, one of our partners. This Indiana company has a digital signage network in place that they know needs some major improvement. (That's where we come in.)
The communications team inherited the network
BUT has no direct control over the content. Right now, the messaging on the screen is 90% (if not more) just business data that's driven from their intranet. This can be a good use of signage, but the company knows that their current model isn't.
They want to do more with their signage network (good thing) but struggle with an efficient means of managing content (bad thing).
The challenge is that the corporate communicator has to send all of her content to IT and then have IT update the network. This is where "not ideal" starts to come into play. Because there is so much hand-holding, the communicator is reluctant to give IT content because she knows they have to stop what they're going to put it up or they can only get to it when they can.
The benefits of MediaTile's
digital signage software is that it puts the communciator in charge of content, not IT. Communicators are in charge of content for other communication vehicles and digital signage should be no different. And as the network expands, communications can add users to regional offices, giving them the ability augment corporate content with very relevant local news. This makes digital signage a corporate, regional and local dynamic communications tool.
If you're looking to launch a new network or revise an old one, it's smart to get IT involved. But I would push (and push hard) to not let nework become an IT project.
Make it a communications project.
Is it any different for a bank? What about a retailer?
Diversified Media Group (DMG) is a network and systems engineering company, responsible for the management of day-to-day planning, engineering, installation, content development and routine maintenance across a wide span of business sectors. DMG is also the sister company of Diversified Systems, one of the US’ largest A/V integrators, with multiple offices from New Jersey to Seattle).
DMG recently deployed the
MediaTile solution for AkzoNobel, which is the world’s largest global paints and coatings company (brands include Devoe, Dulux, Glidden, Liquid Nails, Ralph Lauren, with several more). Screens are currently deployed in corporate offices and manufacturing facilities across the US and Puerto Rico.
Because our
digital signage is cellular-based, it is uniquely appropriate for AkzoNobel’s existing communications network, which is carefully contained (not unlike most large-scale company infrastructures). The flexibility with which MediaTile signage can be installed and deployed eliminates the need for on-the-ground IT support and additional resources, without infringing upon the company’s network bandwidth.
DMG’s creative team works closely with MediaTile’s in-house talent to design and produce custom, templatized content specific to AkzoNobel, which is then broadcast on each display. As our software is intuitive and SaaS (cloud) based- any member of the team (with administrator permissions) can take the reins and drive the programming schedule. This is a digital signage network intended to provide its operators with ultimate control with minimal fuss.
We are excited to see where this opportunity leads…hopefully next to a retail location near you!
One of the many great things about being a part of a growing company is getting to add new team members. This is why it's so exciting that we are hiring an
Account Executive to help us with
digital signage sales. This person will be based on the West Coast. Here's the basics of the opportunity.
Reporting to the VP of Sales, this position is new business quota-driven. Your goals will be weighted to drive new account acquisition, but also follow on expansion business through cross selling and up selling additional MediaTile products/services.
The Account Executive will focus on closing new direct digital signage business, as well as opportunities generated from co-sell partners, in a short-list of specific vertical markets for digital signs. The home-base office for this position is MediaTile’s headquarters in the Silicon Valley, CA, area, although a travel requirement of at least 50% is expected, as this is a national position. The lead generation/campaign management/inside sales support function that supports the direct sales force is run out of the Silicon Valley office.
This is a unique expansion opportunity to join an exciting company in a fast-growing digital signage market.
MediaTile has a unique position in the digital signage market, providing an award-winning cloud-based solution via a set of deep strategic partner relationships. The company will depend on you as an important part of our sales team and to play a central and customer-facing role in driving its sales growth.
I've been MediaTile now for three years and it's been a fun ride. And with 4G digital signage at our feet, it's only going to get even more exciting. If you're interested, please read the full description and
apply directly on LinkedIn.
MediaTile, THE leader in cellular connected d
igital signage, is proud to announce and reco
gnize Cape Fox Professional Service as an official MediaTile digital signage reseller partner. Cape Fox Professional Services and MediaTile have been partnering since early in 2010, and we are thrilled to be partnered with this outstanding organization!
Cape Fox Professional Services (CFPS) started as a division of Cape Fox Corporation, who in 2003 diversified its services to include the information technology industry; as such, CFPS was born.
CFPS was certified for participation in the SBA 8(a) Program on November 12, 2003 as an ANC 8(a) and in 2006 was awarded a multi-million dollar contract that led to immediate success and an instantaneous opportunity for growth.
CFPS now employs a staff of over 150 and conducts business from multiple offices across the United States.
Thanks to this partnership,
CFPS has added the ability to provide MediaTile's world class cellular, SaaS-based digital signage solutions directly to public, private, and government institutions. The addition of MediaTile is another feather in the cap of CFPS, complimenting the many other value-driven advanced technology business solutions they offer.
Welcome Cape Fox Professional Services, we salute you.
In recognition of Independence Day, MediaTile's corporate headquarters will be closed Monday, July 5. Our office will reopen Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
Over the extended holiday weekend, all phone calls will be routed through MediaTile’s standard after-hours call center. In the event you should experience a critical or major support issue with your digital signage network during this time, please indicate the severity of your situation to the call center and you will be routed to an appropriate MediaTile support representative who will be on-call over the holiday weekend.
On behalf of MediaTile, I hope everybody has a great weekend. It's a time of year when many families get together for the symbolic start of Summer. But please take some time on
Memorial Day to remember those who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
Here in Indianapolis, it's a big weekend with the
Indianapolis 500 taking place. I won't be going to the race, but I've had to chance to spend a few days at the track this May. Fortunately for the hundreds of thousands of people who descend on our fair city this weekend, it looks like it's going to be
visitor's association weather.
On to more business related information, MediaTile's office will be closed on Monday and will re-open on Tuesday, June 1. Over the extended holiday weekend, all phone calls will be routed through MediaTile’s standard after-hours call center.
In the event you should experience a critical or major support issue with your digital signage during this time, please indicate the severity of your situation to the call center and you will be routed to the appropriate MediaTile support representative who will be on-call over the extended weekend.
_______________________
Photo credit, Beverly & Peck
I've never been much of an early adopter, and am secretly something of a luddite, generally preferring pen and paper and all things old-timey to hand-helds and gadgets.
Though as a music lover, I made a gadget-exception for the iPod as soon as they came out with 80GB of space- in addition to my fairly huge library of mp3's, and audiobooks, podcasts are in constant rotation, especially at the gym; gym podcasting makes workout time fly, and keeps me up to date with all my favorite
This American Life stories... oh, Ira Glass, you are a national treasure...
But I digress.
Moving onto the iPhone- I'd never particularly seen the appeal until someone at the office gifted one to me. My old, prehistoric Razr was failing from age, I needed a new phone and voila! Was handed a brand new iPhone, right out of the box. Holy generosity! It took me all of about 3 days to load up with apps and get it on the Doodlejump craze. It's not the greatest phone, I'll admit, but as toys go...well done, Apple!
Which brings me to the iPad. Why do we need this thing? I guess if you're a fan of e-reading, it outguns the Kindle, and I guess if you consume a lot of online movies, it affords an opportunity to do so more easily while travelling (as my laptop weighs in at 7lbs, I tend not to tote it through airports unnecessarily)...but for all the criticisms surrounding the iPad and it's dubious tech specs (particularly the charging issue...that would drive me nuts) and its inflexibility vis a vis its keyboard (virtual or bluetooth, but not both), not to mention its relatively small hard drive- why are people plunking down between $500-$800 for what ostensibly is a large screen iPhone?
(Interesting review available here...)
Maybe it's just me, as I'm a PC person, and not the biggest fan of Apple products (my mobile devices proving the exceptions to that rule) but I'll be curious to read the user reviews once we pass the beta stage...
In recognition of Presidents Day, the MediaTile Company’s corporate headquarters will be closed Monday, February 15. Our office will reopen Tuesday, February 16.
Over the extended holiday weekend, all phone calls will be routed through MediaTile’s standard after-hours call center. In the event you should experience a critical or major support issue during this time, please indicate the severity of your situation to the call center and you will be routed to an appropriate MediaTile support representative who will be on-call over the Holiday weekend.
Happy Presidents Day! Celebrate by buying a mattress or something.
In recognition of the U.S. Thanksgiving Day holiday, The MediaTile Company’s corporate headquarters will be closed Thursday November 26, and Friday November 27. Our office will reopen Monday, November 30, 2009.
Over the extended holiday weekend, all phone calls will be routed through our standard after-hours call center.
In the event you should experience a critical or major support issue during this time frame, please indicate the severity of your situation to the call center and you will be routed to an appropriate MediaTile support representative who will be on-call over the holiday period.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody.
To those of us in the industry, someone says "
digital signage" and we know exactly what it is and what it can do. And I think we take that for granted because the more and more I talk to people about what I do, they say, "Now what exactly is digital signage?"
To the average person who asks me this, I tell them that's it's a networked set of LCDs that allow you to put your own messages on the screens. That usually helps get the visual across. Examples always help, too. Airports being a good one.
But to corporate communicators who are responsible for internal communications, I justifiably go into a longer elevator speech about what the technology can do. I don't fault someone for not knowing what it is. But more importantly than knowing what it is is what it can do for employee communications.
An internal network of screens gives a communicator the power (not just the ability) to deliver dynamic and engaging content wherever your employees are. The big appeal is to companies who have a lot of workers who don't sit at a desk all day. The technology is great for reaching those audiences, but it's also great to reach those who DO sit at a desk all day.
For those who are honest with themselves, you know that employees do not read every email that comes across the inbox, nor do they get excited the day the employee newsletter comes out. So you have to get creative and come up with new ways to get your messages to your audiences when they are away from their cubicles and offices.
_____________________
Photo credit, twinsparc
Happy July 4th from us at MediaTile.
The video is above is part of our Media-Moments subscription package. Created by our MediaServices team, it's digital signage content that network operators can use to supplement their existing messages. We keep the messages simple enough so that you integrate them into your existing office signage communication.
In recognition of the Fourth of July, our corporate headquarters in Scotts Valley, CA, will be closed Friday, July 3, 2009. The office will re-open Monday, July 6, 2009.
For those reaching out to us over the extended holiday weekend, all phone calls will be routed through our standard after-hours call center. In the event you should experience a Tier 2 or Tier 1 (moderately severe/most severe) digital signage support issue during this time frame, please indicate the severity of your situation to the call center and you will be routed to an appropriate MediaTile support person.
MediaTile notifies customers about issues, software updates, portal updates, release schedules and maintenance through an emailed MediaTile Support Bulletin. We'll also use this blog in a dedicated effort to improve communication.
Should you have any other needs or issues, please send a note to support@mediatile.com, or call our direct number at 877-881-6900 and ask for support.
Quite a busy week of blogging. Here's this week's rundown in case you missed anything...
There's typically not much one can learn from prime television (especially with Fear Factor off of the air) but the season finale of
The Office provided one doozy of an employee communication tip. Here it is: Never announce a branch closing at the company picnic when no one (or you think no one) knows about it.
Tuesday, June 23 for us is 4 for the other guysWhen I talk to communicators about the technology, I talk about digital signage hardware, software and connectivity. 1, 2, 3. So what could a fourth be?
Wednesday, June 3IABC World Conference less than a week awayI'm really looking forward to heading out to San Francisco next week to attend the IABC 2009 World Conference. As an exhibitor, the show will give MediaTile a chance to show off what our
digital signage technology can do for corporate communication professionals.
Thursday, June 4Your corporate communication must be message-drivenFor those in internal communications, you know you have a fickle audience. You may have recently completed an employee engagement survey that said your employees like to read X message in Y vehicle. But that's just what they say. Is it actually what they do?
Friday, June 5What do you think determines the value of internal communications?I love it when posts on other blogs ask simple questions that frankly I've never really considered. Today I read
this post that pins the value of internal communications to the quality of people representing them. For the most part, I agree with this statement but there are quite a few holes in such a general statement, with the biggest being who represents internal communications
Find MediaTile at Booth #18 at the 2009 IABC World ConferenceYou can check out MediaTile in
Booth #18 at next week's IABC World Conference. We're next to the Wi-Fi Lounge. I'll be there along with Scott Campagnolo to answer any questions you might have about how our digital signage solution can enhance your employee communications.
And here's a few other items from my week's reading that caught my eye...
There's typically not much one can learn from prime television (especially with Fear Factor off of the air) but the season finale of
The Office provided one doozy of an employee communication tip.
Here it is: Never announce a branch closing at the company picnic when no one (or you think no one) knows about it.
Sounds simple enough, yes? There's no way something like this would happen in the real word right? You'd be amazed at the stories I've heard over the years of how companies have announced or shared bad news.
This just goes to show that if you put together a great communication plan involving the right messages with the right internal communication vehicles (town halls, newsletters, digital signage, etc.), someone could spout off at any time. . . like at a company picnic.
But even though a skit at a company picnic might not be the best method to choose, it certainly was a form of effective business communication. Watch the clip and you can see the effect it had.
Enter crisis communication stage left.
I read a lot of articles about employee engagement and employee communications. And with the recent hard financial times on most small and large companies, writers are focusing on the impact the financial crisis is having on employees.
I borrowed this post's headline from a
Forbes article. Never waste a good recession.
What a phenomenal spin on how recessions are typically viewed. Treat your employees well through these tough times and they will come out more loyal and engaged on the other side. That I can buy into.
I'm all for treating employees with care and respect, but I'm also not naive enough to believe that an ice cream truck parked behind your office will cure all engagement ills.
While we are so focused on those employees leaving organizations, we must not forget those that are still around. Go beyond the ice cream truck. It's important to invest in workplace communication. Re-focus your newsletter. Add some interactivity to your intranet. Drop some resources into
digital signage (hint, hint).
So don't lose touch with those employees who are still around. And, oh yeah, never waste a good recession.
_________________________
Photo credit, roadsidepictures
In recognition of Presidents Day, the MediaTile Company’s corporate headquarters will be closed on Monday, February 21st. Our office will reopen Tuesday, February, 22, 2011. 
Powered by Compendium