When Skype is coming to town!

Today's Blog = Skype

Skype Limited (partly owned by eBay) who provides a software that allow users to call each other using the internet. Which it can be used not only on PC, but also by phone, cellphone, and users can use skype to call landline as well at a cheaper rate. And, if you call PC via PC using skype, I'm pretty sure that video call is possible and it's free.

Although, skype is no doubt, a very convenient tool for us (especially international student like myself) to talk with our friends, or talk to our family overseas without having to pay as much as calling on the phone (unless your internet is very bad, you might prefer using the phone).

However, is skype useful for businesses at all?

As clever as any other social media tool, Skype executives found a way to attract business customers with offerings that they reckoned business customers would be willing to pay to use their services. So their offer came in packages which is similar to normal services but with extra to the package such as video conferencing, businesses directories etc.


Skype offer business what's called "Skype Manager" which is a business control panel that allow users to manager numbers, employees and accounts in one place. Thus, this helps businesses reduce costs and also by using this businesses do not need to use complicated phone systems which are difficult to manage.


Common way that I saw small businesses use skype with their businesses is how they use it to recruit the most suitable employee for their business. By using skype they can reduce costs  of having to call so many candidate and make appointment with them etc etc. With skype they can do interview online! So if you actually search in google or youtube, I'm sure there are many interesting interview clips to watch : )


If you are interested in what Skype could do for biz, check out this link, there's video on Skype manager!


Skype Manager Video



But! the more exciting thing is that, there's a rumour going around that there might be partnership happening with Facebook and Skype.


Think what if that really happens! : ) OK, so if that happens, we would be able to connect directly with our friends and family using facebook via skype services (sms, call, video call, straight on facebook!) or we could log into skype using facebook accounts which is very convenience to those who do not have skype account. Imagine businesses talking directly with customers as now they are actually interacting with their customers on facebook already!


Skype can totally expand their users circle and what more can we not love about Facebook? (Oops! except this might bring up a bit of new-old privacy issues? who know), but for me it would be great, as not many people love facebook chat features, at least I don't.


So let's see what happens between these two! Next blog coming soon on how small biz can effectively utilise skype as their strategic tool!'




Thanks for reading : )




Source:


- http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/buyersguide/article.php/3816716/The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Skype-for-Business.htm
- http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10201830-92.html
- http://www.brighthub.com/office/collaboration/articles/6111.aspx#ixzz0xillW4VB
- http://news.cnet.com/2100-7352_3-5553053.html