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Control - Alt - Delete

Written by: Gary Silverman

Article Overview: Walk through any cubicle farm and you will find everyone diligently staring at their (your) computer monitor, tapping the keyboard and fiddling with the mouse like some kind of rodent ouija board helping them find answers. What percentage is really working? What percentage is taking their break on the corporate hard drive?

Control - Alt - Delete

If you have a good IT department than you have probably safeguarded your equipment and limited the access to certain web sites and games. But even the most novice of hackers could probably import a solitaire game or social site. Small businesses are most vulnerable as they are more trusting in nature. Now is the time for you to start looking at desktops, google searches, and downloads on company computers and tighten things up a bit. There is the possibility that the people you think are working are planning tonight’s meal with the food network, chatting with their friends at other lenient companies, playing games, e-mailing gibberish, downloading files sent to them by “cyber-friends”, updating their resume, buying iTune tracks, checking their stock portfolio (they’re easy to spot-the ones wiping tears from their eyes), or booking their next flight out of Dodge. Think of all the garbage slowing down the efficiency of what was once a perfectly fine computer. You can’t blame Windows Vista for this one.

So how do you fix this without striking fear in everyone’s heart? Simple. If you never had a computer policy than you are to blame for what has been going on. If you do have a policy, some people will be in clear violation. If this is the first time enforcing or applying policy you probably need to give everyone a little leeway. Announce that there will be a computer audit and check up in three days (for example). Suggest that everyone prepare by cleaning up whatever programs they deem “obsolete” and then step back and watch the smoke pore out of the mouses...eyes? After the grace period, distribute a Corporate Policy Manual regarding use of company equipment and have them acknowledge receipt and keep a copy in their personnel file. While you’re at it you might also include something about mooning the copy machine or other possible violations to copiers, printers, and postal meters. As business owners we must always keep our eye on the ball and limit the potential liability from the action of our employees. The cost of defending your innocence can be substantial and pleading ignorant to what is happening around you never makes for a good defense. I guarantee your productivity will improve...now keep an eye on the company cell phone.

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Article Tags: company computers, computer audit, computer policy, copiers, cyber friends, food network, gibberish, google, google searches, grace period, itune, leeway, playing games, pore, postal meters, potential liability, solitaire game, stock portfolio, striking fear, wiping tears



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