It’s not only the threat to business of the global recession but also the swine flu pandemic, that has made companies of all sizes look at their contingency plans. Communication, both internally and externally is key to the success of any business. This could be why there is a rise in business now needing to know how to podcast. Podcasting is also becoming attractive as can be relatively cheap to do.

UK Central Government Department Uses Podcasting

How could business usefully use podcast as a contingency plan and also as a regular communications tool?From my own experince working with UK Central Government and companies of every size, I can see just how many benefits there are for businesses using podcasting as a tool.

Here’s how the UK Government used it. They wanted, naturally with the civil service, to take small steps.
They firstly wanted to know how to podcast their team briefs. Podcasting was useful for them as their team was spread across a number of locations and the equipment once set up it was easy for the team leader to record his or her meetings into a microphone attached to a laptop. This method of podcasting proved to be popular very quickly. It maybe also because the quality of the podcasts I recorded was to broadcasting standards. For staff not only able to come to the meeting they were able to catch up. Some even heard the podcasts whilst traveling.

Global meetings

I was asked to record regularly this Government Department’s international scientific meetings. Knowing how to podcast was ideal for these global meetings as the Department could make the presentations available on a secure website for those who could not attend the meetings. The recordings were also useful as a historical record and would help with minute taking.

I believe that business, from one man operations through to large companies can use podcasting in the same way to communicate to both internally and externally.

Podcasting is infancy but it’s good to see that this communications tool is beginning to grow. Knowing how to podcast, surely needs to be part of any business contingency plan/disaster-recovery and communications armory. This new tool also helps with business continuity but the key is to make sure the podcast is to a high quality, targeted at the right market.

J Timothy Mitchell is a Director at RedRok Media, specializes in high quality podcasts for business. RedRok Media Business Podcasts Service

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