Web 'revolutionised' British business
24/11/2006 | Source
The internet has vastly altered the way that UK businesses operate and fundamentally changed the way that goods and services are marketed, according to major new research.
Over half of companies would use the words 'substantial' or 'revolutionary' when describing the effect of online communications on their business, according to a survey commissioned by Google and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
In addition, three out of five consumers say that the net has given them more power over their choice of the products that they buy.
Richard Lambert, director-general of the CBI, said: "Six years after the dot.com bubble burst, the internet is driving really substantial change among businesses. Firms are learning more about harnessing the internet to benefit their staff, their customers and their future prospects."
He added: "Serious investment is going into new internet technologies and this is set to increase."
Meanwhile, Nikesh Arora, vice president of European operations at Google, said that the net now offers businesses "a huge opportunity".
He continued: "Technology and social change give business the chance to reach customers on a previously unimaginable global scale. Consumers are active online, want to find out more information about products and to buy online."
Over 70 per cent of consumers say that they look at other customers' comments before they buy illustrating the importance of user-generated content.
The internet has vastly altered the way that UK businesses operate and fundamentally changed the way that goods and services are marketed, according to major new research.
Over half of companies would use the words 'substantial' or 'revolutionary' when describing the effect of online communications on their business, according to a survey commissioned by Google and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
In addition, three out of five consumers say that the net has given them more power over their choice of the products that they buy.
Richard Lambert, director-general of the CBI, said: "Six years after the dot.com bubble burst, the internet is driving really substantial change among businesses. Firms are learning more about harnessing the internet to benefit their staff, their customers and their future prospects."
He added: "Serious investment is going into new internet technologies and this is set to increase."
Meanwhile, Nikesh Arora, vice president of European operations at Google, said that the net now offers businesses "a huge opportunity".
He continued: "Technology and social change give business the chance to reach customers on a previously unimaginable global scale. Consumers are active online, want to find out more information about products and to buy online."
Over 70 per cent of consumers say that they look at other customers' comments before they buy illustrating the importance of user-generated content.
