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Skype as a Business Tool - a Swot Analysis

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Skype as a Business Tool - a Swot Analysis
Skype as a Business Tool for Mudskipper Business
Limited

Name: Lauralynn (Elle) Pearson

Module: The Business Environment

Tutor: Steve Tidball

Submission Date: 16 Jan 2012

Academic Integrity Statement: I have read and understood the Academic Integrity guidelines for Kaplan Open Learning and the University Of Essex, and declare that this assignment conforms to all of the rules and regulations contained therein.

Please note: the guidelines can be found in the Student Handbook (see section 6.4)

Introduction
Skype is a new technology that has potential to influence how Mudskipper operates and affect productivity. Specifically, how internal and external meetings are held. By using a SWOT analysis, this report aims to outline the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats using Skype as a new technology and how Mudskipper operates. For purposes of this report, the conferencing facility will be examined since it is the main means of communication internally and externally.

What is Skype?

Skype is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication application using voice, video and instant messaging via the internet. Founded by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis in 2003, Skype was originally designed for domestic use to save money making long distance phone calls to stay in touch with friends and family by either calling Skype to Skype or Skype to phone at substantially lower cost than traditional telephony. However, as popularity grew, Skype has been incorporated into the business world and widely recognised as a valuable business tool to increase productivity and save money. Such uses include: * Audio and video conferencing with capabilities to record meetings * Real time, face to face collaboration internally as well as on a client level * File sharing and transfer during meeting sessions * Interviewing potential candidates reducing travel costs * Ability to be used on Smartphones and iPads

Who is Mudskipper



References: 1. Kotter, J (2006) Leading Change – Why Transformations Fail. Harvard Business Review, January: 8. Online at http://cerc.stanford.edu/leading_change.PDF [accessed 5 January 2012] 2. Le Blond S., Zhang C., Legout A., Ross K., Dabbous W. (2011) I Know Where You are and What You are Sharing: Exploiting P2P Communications to Invade Users’ Privacy Online at http://cis.poly.edu/~ross/papers/skypeIMC2011.pdf [accessed 5 January 2012] Bibliography: 1. Jusevicius, M., Firantas, R., (2006) Strategic and Tactical Tools for E-Business-Case analysis: Skype Online at http://www.itu.dk/~martynas/B1/SkypeCase.pdf [accessed 7 January 2012] 2. Lohr, S. (May 10, 2011) For Microsoft, Skype Opens Vast New Market in Telecom The New York Times Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/technology/11skype.html?pagewanted=all [accessed 10 January] 3. Sanderson, B. (October 24, 2011) NYU Poly-professor helps expose Skype security flaw. New York Post. Available at http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nyu_poly_professor_helps_expose_wRgX2oOqtKe1bxHAsH6UHK [accessed 10 January 2012] 4. Worthington, I., Britton,C. (2010) The Business Environment Essex. Pearson Custom Publishing Limited

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