Digital TimesSurveys | Digital Times

Hireland wants 5,000 employers to pledge a job

Stephen — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:56:33 +0000

Hireland is a new initiative aimed at encouraging job creation for Ireland’s skilled unemployed. To support its launch, Hireland published a survey that shows 52% of SMEs plan to hire one or more people this year.
Half of all new jobs will be full time, 30% will be mostly part time and the balance will be a mixture of full time and part time jobs. The research did, however, also reveal that 43% are undecided about their recruitment plans.
“The findings of the research are positive, but it is clear that there are many business owners out there who have been toying with the notion of taking on additional staff, but don’t feel confident enough to do so,” says Gerard O’Neill, Chairman of Amárach Research and co-founder of Hireland.
Business owners can pledge a job on hireland.ie and also benefit from some positive PR (all jobs and employers will be publicised).
Ireland’s media industry is playing its part and has given €500,000 in advertising to support the launch of the initiative. Hireland’s campaign includes newspaper, television, radio and outdoor advertising, as well as digital and PR activity.
Hireland is a volunteer, not-for-profit group that has developed a national communications initiative to encourage employers to hire one of the thousands of skilled people who are currently out of work.
60% of the 150 SMEs surveyed said they’d be willing in principle to support an initiative like Hireland and make a public pledge to hire at least one new staff member this year

Social gaming cheats also cheat in real life

Stephen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:23:51 +0000

The psychology of gaming, and especially social gaming, is a relatively new study and one that is throwing up some interesting findings. The latest survey by social games firm PopCap shows that nearly half (48%) of people* who admit to cheating in social video games also admit to cheating in real life – compared to just 14% of those who don’t cheat in social video games.
118 million people regularly play social games in the U.S. and U.K. – and of those, 11% of people who play social games in the U.K. cheat, compared to 7% of U.S. players who cheat. The total number of women playing social games outpaces men 55% to 45% and men are more likely to cheat in social games than women (54% to 46%). In addition, 72% of cheaters are under the age of 40.
“How we behave in virtual space and interact with others in social games often mirrors how we act in the real world,” said Professor Clay Routledge of North Dakota State University’s Department of Psychology.

Key findings:
• 53% of people who cheat in social games report cheating on tests at school
• U.K. cheaters are significantly more likely to cheat on their taxes than U.S. cheaters (58% versus 33%)
• Overall 51% of people who cheat at social games report stealing towels, cups or other items from hotels (compared to just 14% of those who said they don’t cheat at social games). In the UK that rises to 60%
• 51% of people who cheat at social games report parking in handicap spaces despite not being eligible (compared to only 12% of those who don’t cheat in social games). In the UK, 48% of cheating respondents would take the handicapped space.
• Overall 49% of people who cheat at social games report cheating on a committed relationship. In the UK, that figure increases to 51%
• 47% of people who cheat at social games report stealing packets of sugar, butter or jam from a restaurant
• 43% of people who cheat at social games report stealing magazines from a waiting room

You can download the full report here: GamingCheats

* The survey results are based on 1,201 online surveys completed by members of Toluna’s Internet ePanel in the United States and United Kingdom between September 15 and September 22, 2011. Of the 1,201 respondents, 801 (67%) are from the U.S., while 400 (33%) are from the U.K.

The top 50 things we don’t do anymore thanks to the Digital Revolution

Gerard — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:11:59 +0000

Technological advancements transform culture and society. They always have. However, in some periods in history (like the Industrial Revolution and the current Digital Revolution we are living through) things change faster than usual. According to recent research* by Mozy, Irish and UK citizens have doubled the number of computers they own in the past 10 years and are now slaves to technology. This has, apparently “drastically altered the way we live and consigning generations of traditions to the grave”.
For example, 50 percent of us no longer record our favourite shows on VHS (thought that would be much higher). We no longer make mixed tapes. Apparently, one quarter of Irish people no longer compile photo albums, instead spending an average of 1.57 hours a week uploading photos (again thought that would be higher).
Over three quarters of people say they rely heavily on technology every day while one in five people reveal they are never more than 10 feet from an internet-enabled device.
Two thirds of those polled state that tech devices provide the ability to conduct, almost anywhere, much of the household chores including food shopping and paying bills, with 32 per cent of Irish and British people admitting they no longer go to the bank. One in five shoppers no longer visit the high street to buy shoes. Other increasingly redundant acts include visiting a travel agent, visiting car boot sales, or even ringing family and friends.

TOP 50 THINGS WE DON’T DO ANY MORE
1. Ring the cinema to find out times
2. Going into the travel agents to research a holiday
3. Record things using VHS
4. Dial directory enquiries
5. Use public telephones
6. Book tickets for events over the phone
7. Print photos
8. Put a classified ad in the shop window
9. Ring the speaking clock
10. Carry portable CD players
11. Write handwritten letters
12. Buy disposable cameras
13. Take plenty of change for pay phones
14. Make mix tapes
15. Pay bills at the post office
16. Use an address book
17. Check a map before or during car journey
18. Reverse charges in payphones
19. Go into the bank or building society to conduct your business
20. Buy TV listings
21. Own an encyclopaedia
22. Queue to get car tax in Post Office
23. Develop and send off for photographs
24. Read a hard copy of the Yellow Pages
25. Look up something in dictionary
26. Remember phone numbers or have a phone book
27. Watch videos
28. Have pen friends
29. Use a telephone directory
30. Use pagers
31. Fax things
32. Buy CD’s/Have a CD collection
33. Pay by cheque
34. Make photo albums
35. Watch programmes at the time they are shown
36. Dial 1471 when you get home
37. Warm milk or other hot drinks on stove
38. Try on lots of pairs of shoes on high street
39. Hand wash clothes
40. Advertise in trading papers
41. Send love letters
42. Hand-write essays/school work
43. Buy flowers from a florist
44. Work out how to spell something yourself
45. Keep a personal diary
46. Send post cards
47. Buy newspapers
48. Hang washing out in winter
49. Keep printed bills or bank statements
50. Visit car boot sales

* Mozy carried out the survey of 3,000 consumers across the UK and Ireland.

Social games are soaring

Edward — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:45:06 +0000

Social gaming is fast becoming the biggest thing to happen to the web since social networks themselves. A new study of gamers in the UK and the US finds that 118.5 million people now play social games at least once a week. This is an increase of a massive 71% compared with the same study taken a year ago. Social games include many of the most popular Facebook games like Farmville and Road Wolves.
The study also finds players are now significantly more likely to spend real world money to buy content within social games, with 31 million players having purchased in-game currency, up 86% since 2010.

Worth billions
The report examines play habits, attitudes and regional/demographic differences among social gamers, who represent the fastest-growing segment of the video game industry. The social game sector is expected to generate $5 billion by 2015 according to market research firm Parks and Associates.

Women in their 50s
The survey found that 30%, or 35 million people, who now play social games are new to the category since Feb 2010, and that 17% percent of people who play social games regularly are new to gaming altogether, having never previously played a video game, representing 20 million new gaming consumers. And while the average age of social gamers has gone down from 43 to 39, the average first time new social gamer is a 50+ year old woman.

Other key findings in the report include:
• 81 million people, or 68% of social gamers, play social games at least once a day
• 49 million people, or 41% of social gamers, play social games multiple times a day
• 33% of social gamers who played games on other platforms prior to playing social games reported spending less time playing games on other platforms
• Female social gamers outnumber men 55% to 45%
• The percentage of social gamers under 30 years old jumped from 19% to 30%
• 20% of all social gamers in the US are over 60, compared to only 7% in the UK
• Social gaming is a newer phenomenon in the UK, where only 38% of social gamers have played for two years or more, versus 51% in the U.S.

Download the FULL REPORT here.

Microsoft named ‘best company to work for’

Stephen — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:01:22 +0000

Are you happy in work? Many people, it seems, are, and digital companies appear to be the best places to work.
Microsoft, which employs over 1,000 people in Ireland, was named the number one global workplace at an awards ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange last night.
Great Place to Work revealed its inaugural list of the ‘Top 25 World’s Best Multinational Workplaces’, 18 of which have operations in Ireland.
The ‘World’s Best Multinational Workplaces List’ is the “first integrated look at survey data from employees and managers from thousands of companies across six continents”, making it the world’s largest annual study of workplace excellence.
“This list recognises global organisations that have demonstrated a truly serious commitment to creating workplaces that foster high levels of trust, pride and camaraderie amongst their employees leading to high performance,” said John Ryan, CEO of Great Place to Work Ireland.
The global awards are based on surveying over 2.5 million employees, representing a 10-million strong workforce and workplace culture analytics from more than 5,500 companies.

Ireland’s best company to work for
Microsoft Ireland has been the winner of Best Place to Work in Ireland for the last three years running.
“We’ve always believed that a great place to work is as relevant in an economic downturn as it is when times are good,” says Paul Rellis, managing director, Microsoft Ireland. “Our view is that a great workplace is a business imperative. A healthy and happy workforce is a productive workforce and is focused on the customer.”

The World’s Best Multinational Workplaces List top 20 global companies:
1. Microsoft
Information Technology//Software
2. SAS
Information Technology
3. NetApp
Information Technology//Storage/Date Management
4. Google
Information Technology//Internet Service Provider
5. FedEx Express
Transportation//Package Transport
6. Cisco
Information Technology
7. Marriott
Hospitality//Hotel/Resort
8. McDonald’s
Hospitality//Food & Beverage Service
9. Kimberley-Clark
Manufacturing & Production//Personal and Household Goods
10. SC Johnson
Manufacturing & Production//Personal and Household Goods
11. Diageo
Manufacturing & Production//Food Products, Beverages & Tobacco
12. American Express
Financial Services & Insurance//banking/credit services
13. Medtronic
Manufacturing & Production//Medical Devices
14. Intel
Information technology//Hardware
15. Hilti
Manufacturing & Production//Building Materials
16. 3M
Manufacturing & Production
17. Telefónica
Telecommunications
18. National Instruments
Manufacturing & Production//Electronics
19. Mars
Manufacturing & Production//Food Products, Beverages & Tobacco
20. Accenture
Professional Services//Consulting- management

Ireland’s Facebook generation

Emma — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:14:57 +0000

A new survey has, unsurprisingly, discovered that Irish students spend a lot of time on social networks, Facebook in particular.
According to the survey, 32% of third level students spend up to five hours a week on social networking sites while over 1 in 4 (26%) spend between six and ten hours a week.
Facebook is the most popular social networking site according to 96% of students followed by Twitter at 67%.
In the last year Twitter has replaced YouTube as the second most popular social media site amongst this group with 67% of students tweeting regularly.

More and more
Over a quarter (26%) say they spend between six and ten hours a week. 18% spend up to 15 hours a week while 15% spend over 20 hours a week.
Over half (55%) of students said that due to the recession they would spend more nights in this year than last year. However they are unwilling to give up certain essentials with 56% unable to live without broadband and 44% unable to live without TV.

Dossing
The annual student survey carried out by broadband and Digital TV provider, UPC, reveals that over one in four (27%) third level students admit to skipping lectures so they can catch up on what’s happening in Summer Bay, while 24% admit to missing class to watch Friends and almost one in five (19%) say they have missed a lecture to watch Come Dine with Me.
UPC Ireland has launched a Digital TV, Broadband and Phone package specifically for students. The package provides all three services for free for the four summer months – May, June, July and August.

Majority of IT workers feel ‘numb’, ‘unchallenged’, ‘frustrated’ and ‘underpaid’

Mark — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:30:55 +0000

76% of IT professionals across Ireland intend to leave their current job in the next three years. ‘Numb,’ ‘unchallenged,’ ‘frustrated’ and ‘underpaid’ were words used by the IT professionals to describe their work.
“I was stunned at this high level. It highlights the ‘new’ relationship to employment. These skilled and bright people need to be challenged and rewarded in their employment relationship. They don’t expect a lifelong commitment from the employer and aren’t prepared to give it,” says Josh Linton, IT Recruitment Consultant with Archer Recruitment, who commissioned the survey of 700 IT professionals.
The survey found that almost half of IT professionals do not feel secure in their job and a third feel that their skills set doesn’t match their role. With almost a quarter of these professionals planning to emigrate, the fears of a ‘brain drain’ sweeping across the IT sector may be realised.
84% of those surveyed have LinkedIn accounts with over a third using these to secure employment.

iPhone users consume huge amount of apps

Stephen — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:53:13 +0000

iPhones are popular tools

Market research commissioned by mobile solutions provider Púca shows that despite the downturn, demand for the latest smartphones amongst adults remains strong with more than half (54%) claiming ownership of a smartphone.
On the day that Apple announces its latest iPhone, the research* shows that 28% of smartphone equipped adults have one of the devices with 14% of those without a smartphone intending to choose Apple for their next handset.
Young people are particularly likely to update to the iPhone with 23% of non smartphone owning 18-29 year olds wishing to make the iPhone their next purchase.

App usage
Apple users are ahead of the curve for app consumption with 98% downloading apps against 77% for all respondents. The research also shows Apple’s strength in the nascent tablet computing market with 6% of those surveyed owning an iPad.
“The rise of smartphones is certainly linked to the rise of social media. There is also certain ‘wow’ factor with Apple’s products design and usability. iPhones also benefit from the thriving content ecosystem Apple have created with the iTunes store,” says Eamon Hession, CEO Púca.

Finding apps
The survey also asked what were the most important ways users found apps with the top three ways being “word of mouth” (31% citing this of prime importance), searching for an app “like this” (21% citing this as most important) and the apps appearance in appstore charts (19% giving this prime importance).
“The results point the way to a three pronged approach to a successful app. The opportunity is there for brands to harness the power of word of mouth by making it easy for users to recommend the app via Facebook and Twitter integration. The high amount of users searching for “an app like this” means that a good app should have an inherent usefulness and fulfil an unmet need for users,” says Hession.

Location based services
Almost 75% of smartphone users are willing to share their location with a brand under certain conditions.
“Location enabled marketing has huge potential but our research underlines the importance of doing it right. The research shows that consent depends on how much the consumer trusts the brand, whether data is secure and if they receive a voucher or some other reward in return,” said Hession.

Púca’s research will be made fully available to subscribers of the company’s newsletter next week. To subscribe please visit http://www.puca.com/signup

* The survey was conducted by Market Research Company iReach during the period of 22nd September to 29th September using the iReach Consumer Decisions Research Panel which delivered 1,000 responses from adults in Ireland aged 18+ to 65+ and is nationally representative by Age, Region, Gender and Social Class.

Half of Irish people regularly consult ‘Dr Google’

Emma — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:18:06 +0000

For Irish people, looking for a medical diagnosis and a solution to an ailment online is now as popular as going to the doctor. Almost half of Irish people (46%) find that the cost of attending their GP encourages them to consult the Internet for medical diagnosis.
Looking for answers to medical problems online is most popular with Irish women. 60% aged up to 44 using the Internet for medical diagnosis to avoid the expense of a GP visit.
‘Dr. Google’ is also trusted by Irish people. 35% of the population believes the Internet is a trustworthy source of medical information, with young men being the biggest believers (48%).
The figures above are part of a nationwide survey of 1,000 adults by QUINN-healthcare. More than 55% of younger males, and also 54% of women aged between 35-44 would consult the Internet rather than their GP if suffering from an embarrassing medical problem.
QUINN-healthcare launched a GP Helpline service in October 2009. The service provides QUINN-healthcare customers with 24-hour access to qualified doctors by phone. 45% of the population would use a phone service or web chat for consultations if their GP offered it, with Dublin respondents being most positive on these methods of consultation (52%).
“The Internet is being used by people to save money and while it is a significant source of information it should be treated with caution and used in conjunction with advice from a trained medical professional,” says Dr. David Ward from QUINN-healthcare. “Other forms of communication technology are also having an impact on the healthcare sector, including text message (SMS) alerts from chemists when prescriptions are ready and virtual doctor visits via Skype.”

The rise of the prepay smartphone

Edward — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:27:52 +0000

The most important factor for prepay mobile users when switching networks is the internet offering. A new survey shows 53% say the Internet offering is the deciding factor. Online access is ranked as more important than network coverage at 37%, and the handset choice at 33%.
The survey, conducted by Three, also reveals high levels of smartphone penetration in Ireland:
• 45% of prepay users own a smartphone
• Over one in three (38%) say their smartphone is more important than their TV
• 19% (50% of women) say their smartphone is more important than their make-up bag
• 56% of respondents have downloaded more than 20 apps to their handset
• 89% of prepay smartphone users have downloaded the Facebook app
• 66% of users would switch network providers for more free calls, texts or data.
Texting remains the most used form of communication. 69% of people using their mobile for texting and 53% using their phone to browse the internet. Prepay users in Dublin are most likely to have a smartphone.
The survey follows the launch of Three’s ‘All you can eat’ data on prepay.

Data damage
Price is an important consideration for Irish prepay users with an average customer spending between €20 and €30 per month on their mobile top-up and one in three (36%) saying they spent €80 – €120 on their last mobile phone. 13% of smartphone users on prepay keep a close eye on their data usage, however 62% have no idea how much data they use.