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CIOs weigh in on most popular communication tools at work

web-based formats, video conferencing top List, survey finds

MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 7, 2008 -- More and more businesses today are leveraging technology to improve communication with employees. When chief information officers (CIOs) were asked which tools their firms currently use or anticipate using, the most popular responses were online training (60 percent) and video conferencing (52 percent). Software that creates collaborative workspaces, such as Microsoft SharePoint, was cited by roughly four in 10 respondents. Cited less frequently were Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, tagging and wikis. Still, some CIOs said they had plans for these tools in the works.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of information technology (IT) professionals on a project and full-time basis, and conducted by an independent research firm. It is based on telephone interviews with 1,400 CIOs across the United States.

CIOs were asked, "Which of the following technology tools does your firm use or plan to use in the next five years for internal employee communication?" Their responses*:



                                                   Plan to use   Do not use/
                                                   in the next   do not plan
                                      Use now       five years     to use

    Online training                     47%             13%           38%
    Video conferencing                  34%             18%           46%
    Collaborative workspaces
     (e.g., Microsoft SharePoint)       24%             19%           53%
    Tagging software (e.g., Digg)       13%             16%           67%
    Blogs                               14%             11%           72%
    Wikis                               11%             10%           74%
    Virtual worlds                       6%              7%           84%
    Other                                8%              8%           81%

*Multiple responses were allowed

"Employees are operating on information overload, and they need good resources to help them process data effectively," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. "Technology tools can help companies collaborate more efficiently, preserve and share corporate knowledge, and reduce expenses."

Lee noted that despite the potential benefits, most businesses are taking a wait-and-see approach with emerging forms of communication. "As newer tools mature, their popularity may increase, but in-person communication likely will remain the most reliable way to keep employees connected, informed and motivated."

About the Survey

The national survey was developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of information technology professionals on a project and full-time basis, and conducted by an independent research firm. The survey is based on more than 1,400 telephone interviews with CIOs from a random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees. In order for the survey to be statistically representative and ensure that companies from all segments were represented, the sample was stratified by geographic region, industry and number of employees. The results were then weighted to reflect the proper proportions of employee size within each region.

About Robert Half Technology

With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at http://www.rht.com.



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