COMPANY sPONsORsHIP TO TRAVEL COsTs CUT BY VIRTUAL
kEEP LAND INTACT MEETINGs
‘Armchair volunteer’ programme launches The potential for conference calling and
on Earth Day. video conferencing is being recognised in
Europe.
M
inimising the costs of travel, both to business and the
environment, has been cited as a reason for an increase
in conference calling (CC) and video conferencing (VC)
among European business leaders.
A third of SMEs surveyed by global software company Skype already
use conference calls while a further 40 per cent see the potential for
incorporating it into their business. Two thirds of companies already
using CC do so at least once a week and 60 per cent predict that they
are likely to increase use over the next 12 months.
There is a similar pattern to video conferencing use. Despite being a
relatively new feature, more than 40 per cent can see the potential of
VC use in business.
There is also strong evidence to suggest that small businesses are
embracing CC and VC as a method of communicating both internally
and with their customers and new prospects. Key benefits of this
approach have included minimising travel, facilitating and improving
A
n innovative new charity website combining a land protection
communication and reducing costs. With VC, the addition of non-verbal
programme with a resource providing advice on simple,
communication such as body language is also an important factor.
healthy and eco-friendly initiatives was due to go live on
Earth Day, 22 April 2008.
Many of the SMEs questioned who were not current users of VC said
they would be more likely to use VC more if it was better quality and
Employing unique Google Earth and Google Maps technology that
not expensive. Making calls on Skype, for example, is free for any user
allows sponsors, or “Land Guardians”, to name the conservation
with a computer and broadband Internet connection.
area that they have adopted,
www.healthyplanet.org is a resource for
companies looking to fulfill Corporate Social Responsibility.
Stefan Oberg, the Vice President and General Manager - Telecoms
from Skype, commented: “Saving money is just the start. Skype
The concept for Healthy Planet was born out of discussions between
is a great tool for businesses – especially smaller businesses who
Reader in Physical Geography at King’s College London, Mark Mulligan,
thrive on productivity while at the same time keeping an eye on
and businessman Shaylesh Patel. Both wanted to help people start a
the bottom line. Being able to see your customer on video for free
positive change which will last beyond their lifetime as a legacy for
when you are talking to them is a massive benefit.”
themselves and future generations.
Coining the phrase “armchair volunteering”, Healthy Planet’s first
initiative is centred on supporting the planet’s protected ecosystems
Skype, based in Luxembourg, was founded in 2003 by Niklas
by involving companies and individuals in online sponsorship and
Zennström and Janus Friis.
research, carried out from the comfort of their own armchair (or office
desk). Businesses simply need to select a piece of land to adopt from
Skype is available in 28 languages and is used in almost every
a pool of National Parks and protected areas then complete a secure
country around the world.
transaction to donate.
Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as
Protected areas are split into one square kilometre plots (or 247 acres)
making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones,
which start from £90 annually or there is an option to sponsor a plot of
as well as voicemail and call forwarding.
land forever at £4,450. This area of land, containing vital ecosystems
(an average of 58,000 trees in lowland tropical forest), will be protected
Skype certifies and sells hundreds of hardware products from more
by the company for life making them the official Land Guardian of
than 50 partners and work with third-party developers to create
this area and ensuring that resources are available for its continued
software to extend its functionality.
protection in perpetuity.
Skype has been downloaded more than half a billion times and
In return, companies can use Healthy Planet’s unique state of the art
over 246 million people from almost every corner of the globe have
Google technology to view and monitor the land they have adopted,
registered.
as well as put their name to it. As Land Guardians, companies can
also add their logo or web address as part of the naming feature.
11 | ecoexecutive
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