Consumer comfort
Study: Internet beats phone for disclosing information
U.S. consumers are more comfortable about giving out credit card numbers and other personal information over the Internet than over the telephone, a new study shows.
According to a survey by Market Facts Interactive, 57 percent of 1,823 respondents said they were "comfortable" or "somewhat comfortable," providing credit card information over the Web, compared with 43.5 percent by phone.
"For those in e-commerce 24 months ago, people were afraid of it," said Donna Wydra, vice president of the Arlington, Ill.-based market research consulting and information company. "It looks like people have gotten over that hump at this point."
Wydra says people are less skittish about online transactions because there haven't been widespread reports of card theft.
She also suggested that consumers may feel more at ease dispensing credit card numbers on the Web because many sites now offer privacy statements. On the phone, however, consumers have no idea of who's taking down the information at the other end.
Advice
Experts give tips to keep the workplace peace
It's up to managers to keep a snippy e-mail or derisive glance between co-workers from snowballing into a battle that could poison the entire office, according to this month's issue of Working Woman.
The magazine interviewed several executives for suggestions on how to quell tensions among employees. To avoid territory disputes between members of her staff, Dale Veno, vice president of Branders.com, an online promotional products company, says she involves sales representatives in decisions about turf changes.
Danette Lee, vice president of marketing technology for TargetMarket Interactive, an online advertising firm in Los Angeles, says she organizes excursions such as lunches outside the office and scuba diving for warring employees.
And if two companies with divergent cultures merge? Lynn Tetrault, vice president of human resources at pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, says it's a good idea to decide what the new corporate culture is going to be and communicate it to employees.
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