Workspace Blog

Using Skype for Your Job Interview: Jeff Garber of 360 Job Interview On What You Need To Know

An increasing number of employers are leveraging Skype video to conduct face-to-face job interviews. This is often a first step to screen out candidates who seemed "good on paper" but didn't have what the employer really needed. Employers feel that a Skype job video interview provides a cost-effective way to see the candidate interact with new technology, express themselves on video (an increasingly important task today) and deal with a complex situation.

Recently I had the opportunity to talk with Jeff Garber, the CEO of 360JobInterview about this powerful use of Skype. His company specializes in coaching job seekers on how to present their "best foot forward" in that all-important job interview. They use Skype extensively to connect job seekers with highly-trainer coaches and counselors through Skype video. This gives the job seeker a place to get assistance and improve their video presentation skills.

Here are two versions of the video interview. First, a shorter version for the "time-pressed with a hectic schedule but need to see this" and a longer, "rich information-packed version." Both are provided here for your convenience.

First, here's the time-compressed version (4:47):

And here is the full, rich-detail version for maximum benefit (13:29):

In the interview Garber shared with me some pointers that can help you the next time you're looking for a job --- or just presenting yourself on Skype. In the spirit of "dig your well before you're thirsty" it is good to know about these tips, and keep them handy, before you have that next important Skype video interview or presentation.

Tips To Improve Your Skype Video Job Interview

• Be familiar with the technology of Skype. Today many companies around the world are using Skype as a tool to connect. Video is the preferred tool of many employers. Garber says it it critical that the potential candidate shows a comfort level with what Skype can do and how to deal with the technology.


• Spend time with Skype prior to the interview. Don't begin your practice with your first job interview. Practice with Skype before the interview. Play with it. Learn how it works and what it can do. This way you will increase your familiarity with Skype and how to make it work best for you. Your job interview is one time you can't afford to wing it. Practice diligently.


• Be prepared --- this is a real interview. Just because the interview is done over Skype doesn't mean it isn't serious business. You need to approach it with all the seriousness and preparation you would give to a live, in-person meeting.


• Convey that you are comfortable. As you practice you'll be more comfortable with the medium and how to present yourself best over video. Showing comfort while on camera comes across well and employers often assume you would do the same on the job.


• Dress appropriately. Dress according to the culture and how a job candidate should appear. This is not the time for tank tops or beachwear. Also, Garber makes an interesting comment to dress from head to toe. Many think that since they'll be on camera they don't have to dress up top and bottom. He cautions that you never know when you might have to stand up during the interview. If that happens, you don't want the potential employer to see that you're wearing cut-offs with business attire on top!


• Make sure the lighting is good. One of the most important features of video is lighting. If necessary, get a lamp that can be in front of you (halogen lamps often work well for this). You might also want to consider a trip to a photo store to get a small lighting kit if you will be presenting in a particularly dark environment.


• For women, make-up should be appropriate. Yes, you're on video and you want to look your best. Often some tips from image or make-up experts can assist in this area. Let them know you've got a video interview and you want to look your best.


• Consider a back-up computer. Sometimes computers don't work as they should. If yours crashes, it would be very good to have a second computer standing by "just in case." This also shows your perspective employer that you plan ahead and can handle emergencies.


• Plan for ethernet connection, not Wi-Fi. We often use Wi-Fi for connections but when it comes to video, ethernet is usually a more reliable source. For your important interview, take the steps beforehand to make an ethernet connection work. Test it and note your speed (go to speedtest.net to check). You'll be glad you did.


• Take steps to eliminate potential noise. Garber suggests letting your dog visit next door if you have a dog who tends to bark often and loudly. This is business. It is not the time to have your dog hurt your chances at the ideal job. Turn off cell phones and don't answer during the interview! Take the time before the job interview to think about potential "noise bombs" which could portray you in a bad way.


• Create a clear, uncluttered environment. You don't want stacks of books or messy paper visible in the video. A clear, uncluttered environment shows organization and the ability to get work done. This conveys a good impression to employers.


• If an emergency happens, be comfortable and deal with it comfortably. Sometimes an ambulance or jet can make a loud noise. There is nothing you can do to stop that but you can do everything to convey control and composure to recover and move on from the disruption. Remember to focus on your video interview and don't let distractions detour you from a successful job interview.

Since Skype has become an essential part of the process of the job interview, it is wise to add these skills and others to your repertoire of essential job skills for today.

The New Living Workplace

Today, new technologies in the workplace are taking hold. We have more forms of communication in the workplace then ever before - e-mail, landline calls, instant messages, texts, video calls, social media, mobile calls, VoIP, SMS, conferencing and more.

This adoption of so many types of new technologies isn't necessarily happening as a matter of IT policy or top-down control; it's happening due to the broader acceptance of employees bringing their own personal technology into the workplace. The advent of so many different tools has not only shifted the way we communicate and collaborate but is also shifting the way we work. Most significantly, it's reducing the need to be in a traditional office to work effectively.

Skype commissioned a survey with InCites Research in December 2010 to look at these trends. The survey results were analyzed and packaged by GigaOm Pro, and it's now available to you in a report for download from Skype's new Living Workplace website.

Why do I call it The Living Workplace? Because the notion of work is being re-invented. How we communicate and collaborate is at the crux of this change, and is driven by new technology. This Living Workplace is open and flexible. It supports remote working, where it doesn't matter if you're at your office, home, an airport or a coffee shop. It acknowledges that your personal and work lives co-exist, and it understands that being able to bring your personal technology choices into the workplace can help you and your business achieve the best possible results.

So, check out the downloadable report, and learn more about the Living Workplace.

You can follow Skype Enterprise on Twitter at @skypeenterprise, as well as keep track of the discussion about the Living Workplace on Twitter by searching for #livingworkplace.

Survey on Skype Use by Businesses - Your Chance To Be Involved

A recent survey by a Scottish University student indicates increased Skype usage by businesses in Scotland. Emma Duncan, a business and technology major from the University of Edinburgh said that she is conducting a survey now of Scottish businesses who are using Skype.

Most businesses responding to her survey indicated they use Skype, particularly for international calls. 50% of those responding indicate they use the video capabilities of Skype to connect with customers, vendors and colleagues for collaboration.

Ms. Duncan also said that most businesses are using the free services of Skype (like audio and video communication) and are not aware of other paid services like Group Video Calling, Skype Out (phone calls from Skype to regular landline and mobile phones) or Skype Manager (office account management of usage). She said that increased education on the availability of these services would likely increase interest in using these products.

The research was conducted to determine if Skype has become a core communications vehicle for businesses with 10 employees or less. The results are pending further participation in the survey.

Results need to be tabulated soon and a few days remain before it is concluded. Ms. Duncan can be reached via email at E.L.Duncan@sms.ed.ac.uk. She requests participation in her survey by going to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3GH9LMH.
So, how are you using Skype? You can express your voice by participating in the survey. Go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3GH9LMH and complete the survey so your voice can be heard.

Dan Burrus Interviews Terry Brock about Transformation vs. Change

Transformation is about more than change. It is about a revolution in what you're doing and how you're doing it. In business we leverage technology to accomplish not only the same thing faster but different objectives to serve and help customers.

In this interview best-selling author Dan Burrus interviews me about the differences between transformation and change. Note how you can change the way you do business and serve your customers easier, more profitably and better. This is an interview you want to watch all the way through for the gems that can help you in your business.

Peter Parkes on his Top 3 Skype Tools For Business

Watch this video where Peter Parkes, Skype Blogger-in-Chief shares his preferred top 3 Skype tools. Peter knows Skype. Peter helps a lot of people to get more out of Skype. Watch this short video and discover how you can blend these tools into your life.

Thanx, Peter!

Terry
Skype Chief Enterprise Blogger

Tech Tools For International Business Success

Watch this video interview as I interview Wayne Berry from Melbourne, Australia about success in international business. Wayne talks about the technologies he is using to help train salespeople in countries around the world.

Take notes on this as Wayne lists some specific tools he is using in addition to Skype. Think about what he is doing and how you could use similar technologies in your business to get a competitive advantage.

We look forward to getting your comments.

Terry

Terry Brock
Chief Skype Enterprise Blogger

Terry Brock talks about Skype and More Tech with Chris Brogan

There are a lot of technologies you can use to run your business and generate more sales. I use a number of them and (surprise!) Skype is a huge part of my tool chest.

At the Consumer Electronics Show (January 2011) I got a chance to meet one of my heroes, Chris Brogan. Chris is a consummate professional who uses social media and technology to reach his audience. I have to tell you Chris is not only genuine and real when ON stage but he is a gentleman OFF stage. That is important --- particularly today.

Get your pen & paper (or document entry system) ready to go and take some notes as the one and only Chris Brogan interviews me about Skype and other technology tools which can help you! Terry, Chief Skype Enterprise Blogger

CompUSA Show How to Blend Technology and Customer Service

CompUSA is a place that is changing with the times to meet the needs of customers. Recently, at the Consumer Electronics Show, I was able to interview Lonny Paul, VP of Marketing and Strategic Innovation. In this video he demonstrated technology they use to find out how they blend technology with the human side of caring for customers.

Even if you're not in retail, you can benefit from this idea. Think about how you can take technology, like Skype, to reach customers more. We look forward to hearing your comments.

Terry Brock
Chief Skype Enterprise Blogger

Leverage Skype Mobile Tools For a Competitive Advantage

Skype mobile gives you the power to operate from just about anywhere at just about any time. In a fast-paced, competitive business world, this gives you a distinct advantage over the competition.

In this interview I had the opportunity to interview Alex Abrahentes, the Creative Director for Lucha Libre USA. This a a TV show on MTV2 that features Mexican Wrestling. It is fun, entertaining and demands a lot of those involved to produce it. Alex relies on Skype mobile applications to get this done.

As you watch this video "listen between the lines" to what he is using and think about how you could use this in your own fast-paced work schedule. By leveraging the right technology, in the right place, at the right time, you get a strong competitive advantage. Alex knows what to do and how to do it. In this video he shares with you how to make it happen.

Pay particular attention to what Alex says about how they used Skype in the hiring process. This one tip can make your time investment worth it whether you are looking for a job or in the process of hiring someone.

Enjoy!

Terry Brock, Chief Skype Enterprise Blogger

Maxim - It's just about getting stuff done. Better. Faster. Cheaper.

Maxim are avid users of Skype with over 2000 employees in 70 offices across the world using it for video and voice calls, conference calls and Instant Messaging. It helps them get more done, quicker and for less cash.

They saved $200,000 US in their first year using Skype, and $2M US by using Skype with existing equipment. With Skype, they can do stuff better, faster and cheaper than the other guys. And that’s what matters.

HyperOffice: Competing to Win Globally via Always-On Skype Connections

A few weeks ago, we announced the results of the Skype for Business Competition. Each week, we're sharing one of the winners stories about how they are saving time, saving money and staying ahead by using Skype in their businesses.

Here's a detailed case study about HyperOffice, the first place winner in the Americas:

When a new business prospect calls from the Middle East with a poor cell phone connection, how can a salesperson get a clear line into this initial make-or-break discussion? If they work for HyperOffice, they immediately invite the potential client to call via Skype.

Recently, a business executive development and assessment company based in the United Arab Emirates called HyperOffice because they needed a better way to share client files. After initial talking over a spotty mobile connection, HyperOffice's global sales team connected with the potential client on a Skype call to learn their key requirements. In the next two weeks, the sales team demonstrated to the company how their "Software-as-a-Service" software tools could help the business with everything from document sharing, online project collaboration, and corporate-wide communications.

"Skype helped us win a significant contract with this UAE-based client because we were able respond quickly to questions via Skype instant messaging and free Skype calls while minimizing our out of pocket investment in high-cost, international phone calls," said Shahab Kaviani, vice president, HyperOffice. "We use Skype in our international outbound marketing, which has helped us increase our worldwide business significantly this year. We expect international sales to grow to about 20 percent of our revenue in 2009, up from five percent in 2007 -- a three hundred percent increase in just two years."

HyperOffice has found Skype ideal to engage with potential clients. "In our e-mail marketing, we embed a SkypeMe icon. Our prospects receive an e-mail campaign and within minutes we have people who we never spoke to before clicking to Skype chat or call with our Internet sales department," said Kaviani.

Small companies and workgroups turn to HyperOffice for cloud computing software tools including turnkey intranet, collaboration software and business e-mail services. For a minimal monthly charge, HyperOffice creates a secure online workspace customized to match the client's look and feel. This makes it easier for growing businesses to collaborate, communicate, manage projects, share documents, schedule meetings and tasks, and manage information, anytime, from work, from home, while traveling, using any Internet connection.

Recently, a London-based public relations firm needed a client portal to seamlessly coordinate all of its project management activities. While the firm was also looking at a local London-area IT outsourcing company, they selected HyperOffice due to its responsive team.

"As we guided the PR firm through our 30-day software trial, our team addressed their questions quickly via Skype instant messaging. With just a simple glance, they always knew who was online and available because of our Skype presence and status updates. Not only did this save them time, but also it and helped us win the business," noted Kaviani. "Now, the firm is able to have individually branded client workspaces where the latest versions of press releases, brochures, timelines and more are hosted in an easy-to-find, efficient manner."

As a company, HyperOffice relies on Skype to keep its own employees connected. While many are in the company's Rockville, Maryland offices, others are scattered across the U.S. and around the world in Buenos Aires, India and the Middle East.

"We hold regular Skype conference calls and find it makes sharing links much easier with the combined instant messaging and file sharing," said Kaviani. "Since some of our team members use English as a second language, they can contribute more to the calls through instant messaging. In addition, we use instant messaging all day long for quick discussions instead of relying on e-mail."

Overall, HyperOffice has increased sales with Skype. "While we have made many improvements to HyperOffice, I would say Skype was in the top three technology investments made in the last 18 months that helped us grow our sales," concluded Kaviani.

Here's a short video demonstrating how HyperOffice integrated Skype click-to-call into their offering:

Boosting Productivity and Lowering Costs: It's A Tech Thing

Ramon Ray is a Technology Evangelist and the Editor of Smallbiztechnology.com.

Sometimes I'm doing something on the computer that makes me so productive.

For example, when I'm receiving input from a large number of people, I don't want the information received in my email box. Instead, I build a Google form and have it nicely archived as a database.

If I want to call an associate in Mexico, instead of using my cell phone or landline, I'll call via Skype. Calling via Skype allows me to save money and see the person I'm calling (thanks to Skype's High Quality video calling).

My use of Twitter ebbs and flows; but I've found that Twitter is an awesome communications tool for broadcasting information, receiving information and polling. Plus, it's fast and free.

What's amazing about technology is that it enables businesses to do more than ever before, at a lower cost. As the cost of technology goes down and the productivity of businesses goes up, there is less and less of an excuse for small businesses to not be doing more, more productively, at a lower cost.

Tools like Box.net and Egnyte enable you to share all sorts of documents and have collaboration (in the case of Box.net) for a fraction of the cost of installing a traditional server with a consultant.

The growth of mobile technology, thanks to iPhone and Blackberry groupies, is simply incredible. Cell phones have been around for a long time, but as mobile devices and applications mature, businesses will continue to use them as much more than simple tools for talking. Real-time inventory updates, full customer profiles, alerts to customer purchases or complaints all become possible from your phone.

There are way too many businesses which are still using the very minimum of technology, such as just Microsoft Office and their web browser. If your business is like this, and still stuck using Excel (for everything) or a Rolodex to hold customer information you are moving too slow and wasting money and time.

What about your day-to-day business operations?

Traditionally, many of us email documents back and forth, in order to do revisions and/or gain approvals. Using a wiki, Google docs or other online collaboration tool, the document can be stored, edited and revised online. There's no need to email documents back and forth.

What about video conferencing and long-distance telephone calls? Corporate video conferencing systems can be quite expensive, as can international telephone calls. What's the alternative? Ensure every mobile employee has a webcam (or order notebooks with the webcam built in - that's what I use) and get everyone a Skype account. Skype-to-Skype voice or video calls are free and calls to landlines and mobile numbers begin at just 2.1 US cents / 1.7 euro cents / 1.2 pence per minute. Hotel surcharges and other fees are bypassed, saving your business money.

What about backup? Instead of worrying and wondering if your computers are backed up, there are several vendors with "hosted" backup solutions that seamlessly and automatically backup your data to an online service.

These are just a few examples of how you can be more productive (in the case of backup - even more secure) through the productive use of technology!

Work with your local technology consultant and encourage your staff to use technology to boost their day-to-day business lives. You might want to specifically appoint someone to look at the top ten activities in your business (e.g., weekly staff meetings with remote offices, monthly budget reports, slow gigabyte file sharing transfers) and see what role technology could play to improve on all of these activities.

Technology is a tool. Use it to grow your business.

RareJob: Using Skype to teach English

Last week, we announced the results of the Skype for Business Competition. We promised to share more details about how the winners (and other entrants) are saving time, saving money and staying ahead by using Skype in their businesses.

Here's a detailed case study about RareJob, the second place winner in Asia-Pacific:

RareJob was established in Tokyo in 2007 based on the idea of using Skype to create unique job opportunities linking Japan with other countries around the world. The inaugural project the company took on was teaching English as a second language, or ESL, employing tutors from the Philippines.

ESL instruction is a major industry in Japan, valued at ¥316.6 billion (about US$316 million) in 2007 according to Yano Research Institute Ltd. This is also a highly competitive market dominated until recently by several large nationwide chains of privately operated schools.

RareJob entered the fray armed with Skype. Gaku Nakamura, Chief Technology Officer, knew Skype well before he started the company with partner and CEO Tomohisa Kato.

"Before starting RareJob, I was involved in software development using the peer-to-peer technology at the heart of Skype. I used Skype at work everyday, so I knew its potential as a low-cost, high-quality communications tool," said Nakamura.

Great tutors without exorbitant costs
Skype enabled RareJob to build a strong base of highly qualified tutors in the Philippines, and at the same time sprint ahead of the competition by keeping operating costs down.

"All of our tutors are students or graduates of the University of the Philippines. We select tutors who have the highest English capability and most natural accents. We then help them get set up on Skype if they do not yet have an account, and train them in using Skype as an educational medium."

Unlike most of the major players in the Japanese ESL field, RareJob avoids the cost of maintaining schools in high-rent districts around train and subway stations. These areas have traditionally been the most convenient locations for busy commuters. And while the company pays competitive salaries to its Philippine tutors, labor costs are noticeably less than in Japan, and the tutors do not have to travel to Japan to do their jobs.

All this means savings to students without sacrificing profitability for RareJob.

"We use Skype for all our internal communications with tutors, as well as with our office in Manila. This lets us provide online lessons to Japanese students at ¥5,000 (US$50) per month. If a student does a 25-minute lesson everyday, that's ¥129 per lesson, about 40 times less than what the same student would pay for one-on-one lessons in a classroom."

The home advantage
What can be more convenient than studying in the comfort of your own home? RareJob users reserve time slots in advance over the web. When the reserved time arrives, one of the company's tutors calls the user, and the lesson begins. It's that easy, and another key reason for RareJob's popularity. In the economic climate since late 2008, more Japanese are going straight home from work, dining in rather than spending money outside. RareJob provides the cost-conscious Japanese with an easy, interactive means toward gaining a new skill, and perhaps contributing to future career development.

With an average of more than 2,000 ESL lessons per day and 700 registered tutors, RareJob is Japan's largest independent provider of online ESL instruction. Registered students have steadily risen, from about 1,000 in April 2008 to more than 13,000 in August 2009, and if anything the economic crisis is driving new growth.

"Other online service providers use different technologies, such as dedicated videophones the students have to lease or buy. This makes them less expensive than the classroom-style schools, but still a lot more than RareJob."

RareJob's students can also take advantage of Skype features not available with other online technologies, such as very high-quality audio and fast file sharing.

The future is video?
RareJob is only a year and a half old, but it has quickly emerged as a promising entrant in Japan's ESL market and a company with a bright future. Nakamura sees his brand of ESL instruction as continuing to evolve with Skype.

"Most of our students use voice calls for their lessons. The Philippine broadband infrastructure is not as far along as Japan's, so video calls are often impractical. But as we see Skype improving both audio and video quality while reducing the bandwidth needed, the potential of video instruction will grow. Video adds the dimension of visual aids like pictures. And students can observe the gestures that go along with different phrases and ways of speaking, leading to more natural conversation."

RareJob's mission is also only partially completed. ESL instruction is a success, but Nakamura and Kato are constantly working on new ideas for "rare jobs." Whatever the result, Skype will be there as the company's core utility.

Winners announced: Skype for Business Competition

So - this is it. Our panels of judges around the world have scrutinised your entries, reviewed them, ordered them and reordered them to arrive at our list of winners (and we thank them for their time and effort). Now, we're delighted to be able to announce the results of the Skype for Business Competition.

Continue reading "Winners announced: Skype for Business Competition" »

Doctors using Skype to transform medical practice

Thanks to Jim Courtney at Voice on the Web for his comprehensive coverage of two incredible Skype case studies - featuring a psychiatrist and a plastic surgeon whose practices have been transformed by Skype.

In an ABC news report, Dr Spero Thodorou, a plastic surgeon from New York, and Dr Loren Olson, a psychiatrist from Iowa, shared their views (Dr Olsen on a Skype video call) about how Skype has changed the way they work.

Jim Courtney says:

Psychiatrist Dr Loren Olson had started using Skype for calls to his grandchildren and then realized that he could use it (i) for routine follow up 'med-check' visits with both urban and rural patients and (ii) for clinical consultations with a team of medical providers in a rural area. Amongst his points in the interview:

• The need [for using Skype] in the cities relates to getting the 50% of mentally ill patients who do not have access to medical services to simply interact with a medical professional.
• While his calls do not have the intimacy of an office visit, there's often a question of 'this visit' vs. 'no visit'.
• Patients can become so totally absorbed and relaxed in the discussion such that the technology literally melts away. In one case a patient asked for a glass of water (says something about the realism provided by Skype's High Quality Video).
• One paranoid schizophrenic patient actually preferred using Skype for his doctor calls.

Bottom line: With the ongoing debate over rising healthcare costs, can Skype video calling contribute to solutions that not only reduce both patient and practitioner costs but also shrink travel requirements, accelerate remedial procedures and, most importantly, cut the time spent reading six-month-old magazines in the doctor's waiting room?

We'd like to think so

Case Study: LuraTech

Get a feel for how Mark McKinney, Vice President of LuraTech makes the world smaller using Skype in his business environment by listening to his podcast interview on Takes On Tech.

He enlightens us on the following subjects:

• Avoid jetlag using conferencing on Skype
• If he does have to travel, he can keep in touch with his girlfriend via video calling
• He likes to hold interviews via Skype. If the applicant needs to download Skype and has trouble, that's got to be a sure sign they're not right for the job
• Multi-task in meetings via IM
• Board meetings across the globe, with file transfer to help get the point across

He offers some great examples of the range of Skype features on offer - it's well worth a listen.

Case study - Kukuxumusu

This case study tells the story of Kukusumusu, a thriving design business based in Pamploma, Spain. Their creative director is now based in New York and communicates with his designers via Skype. Watch the video to get an insight in to the crazy world of kukusumusu and meet some unusual characters such as Mr. Testis the bull and a sheep called Beelorzia. There really is a fine line between genius and insanity.

Company background

Kukuxumusu is a thriving design business based in Pamplona, Spain. Set up in 1989 by Mikel Urmeneta, Kukuxumusu creates distinctive designs and drawings for commercial products including t-shirts, postcards, ceramics, key-holders and bags. In 1996 Kukuxumusu opened its first shop exclusively selling its own products, and in 1997 it opened its online store. The company currently employs 65 employees.

Video calling

Kukuxumusu use the free video calling function extensively to talk with colleagues, clients and suppliers around the world. Founder and Creative Director Mikel is currently based in New York and remains in regular contact with the Spanish office via video calling. The team call Mikel via Skype's video calling facility in order to talk through ideas and show him product designs. Mikel says: 'Skype video calling allows you to show thing to people very quickly, which is important in our business. The clarity you get with the webcam is incredible; the definition that you get talking to your colleagues in real time is perfect.'

Cost saving

Every member of staff at Kukuxumusu has Skype, so every department from sales to design use it to chat with one another and to contact colleagues, clients and suppliers abroad for free. Instant messaging is also used frequently. The team at Kukuxumusu liaise with contacts overseas on a daily basis, and have saved money on their calling costs by using Skype. Mikel says: 'Everybody in the business has Skype and we use it every day in every department. For us, it is much cheaper to use SkypeOut credit to call abroad as it is just like making a local call.'

Kukuxumusu also make use of the file transfer facility, so information can be securely sent and received in an instant. It also means that everyone on a conference call can be sure to have the right document in front of them at the same time.

United by Skype

Without Skype, Kukuxumusu wouldn't be able to stay in touch with their contacts around the globe as easily and as frequently as they do. Video and conference calling have enabled the team to build stronger relationships with their fellow workers, clients and suppliers, as well as allowing Mikel to remain as close to his staff as if he was actually in the office. As Mikel himself states, Kukuxumusu as a business has been 'united by Skype'.

Case study - Rip Curl

Here is the next in our series of Skype for Business case studies. This time it is the world famous surf and fashion brand Rip Curl. Watch the video and read below to see how Rip Curl have adopted Skype as their key business communications tool. Skype video calling is used to help with the creative design process and all staff members have a Skype account which they use as their main form of communication across the company.

Company background

Rip Curl is a highly popular international surfing equipment and fashion manufacturer, with over 3,000 employees across the world. The company was founded in 1969 by Doug Warbrick and Brian Singer in Torquay, Australia, where the company still has its head office. Doug and Brian were keen surfers who wanted to support their lifestyle, and decided the best way to do so was producing surfboards. Nearly 40 years on, the company is an international success story.

International organisation bringing people closer

As Rip Curl grew across the world, it became increasingly more difficult to get hold of people from different continents and time zones. Brian Singer discovered Skype, and introduced a global company initiative for all employees to communicate using Skype for all text, voice and video communications. Standard Skype IDs were created as a matter of course for all staff, and now Skype is the sole internal communication vehicle, be it from across a room, across a beach or across the world.

Sharing and showing

Rip Curl's designers and manufacturers are often located in different parts of the world (Australia, Asia, California, France...) meaning different time zones and different languages. Skype's free video calling facility is regularly used to show designs, corrections, suggestions, patterns and ideas. Dummies and drawings are placed in front of web cams to show off new designs and to request changes, leaving no room for misinterpretation, while saving on international travel or lengthy written and verbal explanations.

Also, fast file sharing means everyone on a conference call can be sure to have the right document in front of them at the same time - and again, it's all free.

Mobility

Skype is used "on the go" by Rip Curl. Staff members attending surfing events and competitions can keep in touch with the office for free from their laptop, immediately updating their colleagues by sharing files, images and video.

Presence

As previously mentioned, Rip Curl straddles different time zones. Skype's presence means everyone can immediately see when their colleagues are logged on to their computer, meaning no wasted calls or lengthy voicemails to people who are in bed.

Creativity

Rip Curl is all about "The Search" - for the next big wave, the next cool surfing hot-spot and the newest and best way of doing things. Skype means Rip Curl can take advantage of their teams' creativity and immediacy without having to worry about complicated processes and systems.

Case study - Cinque Terra National Park

This is the first of a series of short case study videos I will be featuring on this blog over the coming weeks. This is one of my personal favourites. It tells the story of Park Manager Luca Natale who runs the Cinque Terra National Park in eastern Liguria, Italy. Luca is somewhat of a local celebrity by the looks of it. He is a forward thinking environmentalist who has adopted Skype to help him communicate with his contacts around the world. Here he shares some profound comments on the benefits of technology to society and how it has helped his business. Watch the video, or read below to find out more.

Company background

Cinque Terre National Park is five miles of rocky coast in eastern Liguria, Italy. Recognised as a national park in 1999, Cinque Terre is visited by 2.5 million people every year and the park's tourism board employs over 250 staff.

Internal communications

The employees at Cinque Terre National Park rely heavily on Skype for their internal communications, checking their Skype messages every morning before they open their e-mails. It is standard practice for the team to start the day with a virtual meeting on Skype, and these meetings continue throughout the working day. Those working from home or away from the office can participate by simply logging on to Skype.

Bringing people closer

With 30-40 important contacts based around the world, Skype has helped to enhance Cinque Terre's global communications. Park Manager Luca Natale says: "Nowadays, geographical isolation is far less important than technological isolation. If we had to choose between building a motorway and getting broadband, we should opt for the latter."

File transfer

The staff at the national park use Skype to send files to their contacts, finding it easier and quicker than sending by e-mail. Luca Natale says: "It's definitely better to send files over Skype as you are sure to receive the information, and the person sending it can be sure than you've got it."

Mobility

Skype allows Cinque Terre employees to work from home and away from the office, offering them the ability to be part of the daily discussions and meetings even when they're not there. As Skype can be downloaded onto any computer and accessed from wherever they are, employees can be in constant contact with the Cinque Terre offices throughout the day. "That you can be at home and have a window open onto the world is of priceless value", says Luca.

Cost and time saving

By making use of Skype's free audio and video calling, Cinque Terre has saved money on its communications costs. It has also allowed staff be more productive as they spend less time sending and reading e-mails, opting to talk over Skype or use instant messaging to converse. Luca says: "Skype has become an essential tool for our work. It's an immediate way to optimise our costs and time."

Meet us at our Skype office in Stockholm

On Wednesday, May 14th, the Skype for Business team is hosting an open-house showcase in the Skype Stockholm office. We are inviting our customers and anyone intersted to see how Skype can be used in a business.

Virtually the whole product range is presented and you can try the Skype certified products and get help from our staff. One of our businesss customers Lyx.com, has kindly agreed to tell how they use Skype.

This is also an opportunity for us to meet our customers and get feedback from you on how to improve our products and services. Your input is crucial in helping us help you.

Stop by Katarinavägen 5, by Slussen between 13.30 and 16.30 and say hi to the whole team!

CNN using Skype for Video interviews

I just read this article on [The Hollywood Reporter](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i0e7d8449d58e7ec1002a7dd65e971bc4), about CNN using a Skype Video call to conduct an interview with an analyst who was on holidays in Maui at the time.

This is a great example of Skype video calling in action. In this case all they needed was a laptop computer and a borrowed webcam to set up a live video link from his hotel in Maui. You can [read the whole article here](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i0e7d8449d58e7ec1002a7dd65e971bc4)

We are always interested in hearing interesting stories about businesses using Skype in creative ways. For instance, [see this story about Rip Curl](http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/casestudies/ripcurl/), the global surf and snowboard brand, whose staff use Skype Video calls to collaborate on designs from opposite sides of the globe.

If you have an interesting story about a business using [Skype video calls](http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/features/video/), or any other [Skype features](http://www.skype.com/intl/en/business/features/), please get in touch via this blog, we would love to hear your story.

See Skype being used in the workplace

We’ve just finished our first ever Skype for Business showcase. You can read about how [Skype For Business takes Lewis & Hickey architects into new world of Internet communications](http://about.skype.com/2007/01/skype_for_business_takes_lewis.html). Or even better you can watch the short video below to see the Lewis Hickey story first hand.