A computer consultant can set up an in-house server as a local Web host with little difficulty. As a case in point, Morningstar Communications Company, an 11-person marketing and public relations agency, recently created an online searchable training and administrative resource called STARworks. STARworks not only provides company policies, but also includes the administrative tasks that employees spend hours learning or asking someone else to teach them. Employees can quickly access past training sessions, account development tips and corporate philosophies. The increase in productivity has more than returned that investment.
Many small businesses can gain a competitive advantage with a similar program.
To build an in-house manual, consider the following. A few years ago, building Web pages involved learning to program in HTML and countless hours in front of the computer. New software makes publishing Web pages as easy as using word processing and spreadsheet software. The market offers many other software choices as well, including Microsoft FrontPage, Adobe GoLive and HotMetal Pro. This popular learning site offers plainly written information on a variety of topics ranging from inserting pictures in Web pages to programming server applications.