Member Article

UK firms embrace net

The internet has changed UK industry but many firms need to learn more about bringing shoppers online, says the CBI. Its survey of 500 firms found many were using new forms of online media, such as podcasts, with companies investing close to £300,000 a year on technology.

The report, co-produced by Google, said UK firms invested a total of £10.6bn yearly on net-based systems. It is predicted this will top £13bn in 2009. The report found that 56% of firms considered the internet had had a “substantial” or “revolutionary” impact on their industry. The survey also revealed that 60% of consumers believed the internet had given them more power, while 43% believed that companies were becoming more accountable as a result of the new technology. However, half the organisations polled said they did not know what impact their internet strategy had had, while one-third said limited understanding was holding back further investment.

Richard Lambert, Director-General of the CBI, said: “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. Serious investment is going into new Internet technologies and this is set to increase.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .