SURFING THE INTERNET

These exercises will help you learn how to use Internet resources in real-world business situations.

INTRODUCTION

Exercise 1

You have been asked by your instructor to give a presentation. You have always wanted to travel and see the world; therefore, you have decided to find out all you can about working abroad and to make a presentation about that information.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search engine such as Excite, Lycos, LookSmart, HotBot, or Google.
  2. Enter the following key search words: international, employment.
  3. Browse through the listings, and summarize or print any information you could use in your presentation.
  4. Outline the information to be included in your presentation.
  5. Write a short summary of your presentation.

CHAPTER 1

Exercise 1

You are to search the Internet to locate information on stress management for a presentation you must give at the Association of Administrative Assistants meeting next month.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Google, Yahoo!, Lycos, or Net Search.
  2. Enter the following key search words: business, management, stress.
  3. Print any articles or information you believe will help you prepare your presentation.
  4. Refine your search by entering the following key words: business, management, time, office, stress.
  5. Print any articles you believe will help you prepare your presentation. Using the information you printed, write a short report on stress management. Make certain you give credit for the sources found on the Internet.

Exercise 2

You are to search the Internet to locate information on personality assessment for a presentation that you must make at your local Chamber of Commerce meeting next month.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Google, Excite, Yahoo!, or Lycos.
  2. Enter the following key search words: personal, assessment.
  3. Refine your search if needed by using the following key search words: personality, types.
  4. Print any articles you believe will help you prepare your presentation.
  5. Using the information you printed, write your presentation on personality assessment. Make certain you give credit to your sources. Attach the printed copies from the sources you used.

CHAPTER 2

Exercise 1

You have been asked to search the Internet to locate various software programs that will improve office productivity. Two of the managers that you support are particularly interested in locating the names of software related to financial calendars and law calendars. You have a particular interest in a recreational sports calendar. Complete the following procedure.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Google, Yahoo!, or Lycos.
  2. Enter the following key search words to locate information about productivity software: productivity management software, productivity improvement management (PIM). Record at least three findings, listing the site addresses. If possible, print a copy of your findings.
  3. Enter the following key search words to locate information about financial calendars: computers, software, calendar, financial. Record at least three findings, listing the site addresses. If possible, print a copy of your findings.
  4. Complete the search for the law calendars. Record at least three findings, listing the site addresses. If possible, print a copy of your findings.
  5. Complete the search for the recreational sports calendar. Record one finding, listing the site address. If possible, print a copy of your finding. Summarize your findings in a memo or e-mail to your instructor.

CHAPTER 3

Exercise 1

You are on the ergonomics committee for the new office complex your company is planning to build. Your company wants to make certain its new offices are ergonomically correct. Your committee’s function is to obtain information that identifies an ergonomically correct office design. As a committee member, your assignment is to research the Internet to gain information to report to the committee.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search engine such as Google, Yahoo!, or Lycos.
  2. Enter the following key search words: health, articles, ergonomics.
  3. Browse through the listings, then summarize or print any information you could use in your report to the committee.
  4. Enter a new search or refine your search by entering the following words: office design, ergonomics.
  5. Repeat step 3.

Using the information you found, write a report on the importance of designing ergonomically correct offices. Include any recommendations about design that would help your company meet this goal.

CHAPTER 4

Exercise 1

Your manager has asked you to gather information about buying a computer
online.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo!, Lycos, or Google.
  2. Enter the following key search words: purchase, computer, online.
  3. Locate information on prices, hardware and software included in the prices, service, support, payment options, and delivery.
  4. Summarize your information in an e-mail report to your instructor and be prepared to share your findings with your class.

CHAPTER 5

Exercise 1

You are in charge of the copying needs for your company. Your manager has suggested you check into the International Reprographic Association and the services they provide. He said perhaps there would be enough money to pay your dues. You are to research the association on the Internet.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo!, Lycos, or Net Search.
  2. Enter the following address: .
  3. Locate information about the International Reprographic Association and its regional associations – what services it provides, how you join, cost of dues, whether it sends newsletters, magazines, etc.
  4. Write a memo to your instructor concerning the information you find.
  5. Locate information about Canadian copyright laws. Print the first pagelisting the main topics. Turn in the list to your instructor.

Exercise 2

You want to experience working with voice-recognition software.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Google, Yahoo!, or Excite.
  2. Search for voice activated software and voice recognition software for demo software.
  3. Run the demos.
  4. Share your findings with the class.

CHAPTER 6

Exercise 1

The operations manager has asked you to locate information about postal services. Rather than calling or visiting the post office, you want to search the Internet.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo!, Lycos, or InfoSeek.
  2. Enter the following key search words: Canadian Postal Service.
  3. Select the Business section. Search the following three areas: international, business publications, and postage rates.
  4. If possible, print one pageon, or summarize, the most important information from the international section.
  5. Enter the following key search words: postal software or mailing list software.
  6. If possible, print one pageon, or summarize, at least three different software products.
  7. Report your findings in a memo to be turned in to your instructor.

Exercise 2

Filling out courier forms is time consuming.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo!, Lycos, or InfoSeek.
  2. Enter the following key search words: Canadiancouriercompanies.
  3. Search for information on courier company software.
  4. Summarize your findings in an e-mail to your instructor.

CHAPTER 7

Exercise 1

Your office manager, Charlotte, has just concluded a meeting with the office staff regarding misplaced records. All of you are concerned because the misplaced folders are a source of irritation and are also costly because your company must pay for employees’ time while they search for the records. Charlotte has asked you to help her in locating information about records management.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo!, Lycos, or Net Search.
  2. Locate information on records management software by using search key words.
  3. Summarize the information found on records management software.
  4. Enter the following address to locate information about ARMA International:
  5. Locate the publications catalogue and code of professional responsibility. Summarize the code for your manager.
  6. Locate information on the Glossary of Records Management Terms – A Guideline. Identify this publication by ISBN number and current price.
  7. Determine the different ways that you can order the publication.
  8. Summarize your information in report form to turn in to your instructor.

CHAPTER 8

Exercise 1

You are the administrative assistant to the office manager of a large manufacturing company. At a weekly staff meeting, several of the supervisors indicated that they believed their employees would gain much from some type of training on cultural diversity. The workforce at the manufacturing plant is becoming more and more culturally diverse. The supervisors believe harmony among the workers will continue if the company offers training that would help them know more about other cultures and how everyone is affected when the workplace is culturally diverse. Your job is to locate companies that provide such training.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo! or Lycos.
  2. Enter the following key search words: business, cultural diversity.
  3. Identify three companies that offer training and print any explanations of their services.
  4. In a memo to the supervisors, summarize the information you located and ask for their input.

Exercise 2

Since you and your manager have new and more powerful computers, your manager has asked you to locate information about electronic calendars to be installed on both of your computers.

  1. Enter the following search words: business, software, electroniccalendars.
  2. Locate three calendar software programs available for today’s office.
  3. Identify the features of each program and summarize the information in a memo to your manager.

CHAPTER 9

Exercise 1

Your manager has asked you to locate fax and telephone directories listing names and telephone numbers of businesses in Mexico. You know that there are a number of resources on the Internet. Complete your search by following these steps:

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo! or Lycos.
  2. Locate resources by entering the following search words: business, fax, telephone directory, Mexico.
  3. List at least three directories and summarize your findings.
  4. Be prepared to share your findings with your class.

CHAPTER 10

Exercise 1

Your manager travels extensively and has asked you to find out the cost of subscribing to the electronic version of OAG.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo!, Lycos, or Net Search.
  2. Locate cost information on the electronic version of OAG by keying the following search words: travel, officialairline guides.
  3. Summarize the information in memo form to turn in to your instructor.

Exercise 2

Your manager has asked you to reserve a flight on Air Canada for departure to Miami (prior to 10 a.m.) on Monday two weeks from now, returning on Thursday (after 2 p.m.) of the same week.

  1. Connect to the Internet; enter the address: .
  2. Enter the information and print a copy of your findings.
  3. Submit your findings to your instructor.

CHAPTER 11

Exercise 1

You are constantly involved with scheduling teleconferences for meetings and training. You heard there is an association especially for employees that use electronic conferencing in the workplace. You mention the association to your manager, and the manager wants to know more about it.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo!, Lycos, or Net Search.
  2. Enter the following address:
  3. Locate information about the Interactive Multimedia & Collaborative Communications Association (IMCCA). Click on IMCCA and specifically find the following and print information on each of the areas.

a)History of IMCCA

b)Mission statement

c)Newsletter

d)Membership information

e)Benefits of membership

f)Resources

4.Write a report to your manager providing the information requested.

CHAPTER 12

Exercise 1

Your manager has asked you to research the topic of Canadian copyright law as it relates to photocopying magazine articles.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo!, Google, or Excite.
  2. Locate resources by entering the following search words: Canadian, copyright, photocopying.
  3. Summarize your findings.
  4. Be prepared to share your findings with your class.

CHAPTER 13

Exercise 1

Your manager has asked you to research the topic of technical report writing.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Google, Excite, or Lycos.
  2. Locate resources by entering the following search words: technical, reportwriting, hints.
  3. Summarize your findings in a memorandum report to your instructor.

Exercise 2

You want to learn more about nonverbal communication.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Google, Excite, or Lycos.
  2. Locate resources by entering the following search words: bodylanguage, decoding.
  3. Be prepared to share your findings with your class.

CHAPTER 14

Exercise 1

You may have heard on the news about people being robbed at ATM machines and the importance of being safe when withdrawing money. The Canadian Bankers Association offers some consumer tips about ATMs and personal PINs on the Internet.

  1. Connect to the Internet.
  2. Enter the following address:
  3. Browse the site for information about ATMs and PINs until you find ATM Safety Tips. Print a copy and summarize the information you found in a report. Includewhat you think are the three most important tips.
  4. Locate information about the Bank of Canada by entering the following search words: central bank canada.
  5. Browse and read about the Bank of Canada. Print any information you need.
  6. Summarize the information you found and write a report about the Bank of Canada. Explain how the Bank of Canada affects you as an employee, consumer, and citizen.

CHAPTER 15

Exercise 1

As an administrative assistant in a career consultant’s office, you have been asked to locate information on companies that are recruiting and on career councils.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo! or Lycos.
  2. Locate employment information on the following companies: MCI, Sony, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, and Bombardier.
  3. Summarize the employment information available for each company.
  4. Gather information about administrative assistant positions in your city or province.
  5. Summarize at least three positions that are advertised online.
  6. Combine the employment information in memo form and turn it in to
    your instructor.

Exercise 2

You are planning a search for your first job. You know that much information is available on the Internet. You have heard about an interview guide placed on the Internet by Allegheny College Center for Experiential Learning/Career Services. Locate the guide.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo! or Lycos.
  2. Locate the Interview Guide placed on the Internet by Allegheny College in Pennsylvania.
  3. Print the guide.
  4. Check the “Tough Questions.”
  5. Enter the following key search words: business, job interview guides.
  6. Focus on frequently asked interview questions for administrative staff.
  7. Write a summary in memo form of the information in the Interview Guide and of the most common questions asked at an interview.

CHAPTER 16

Exercise 1

You have been asked to make a presentation on managing change.

  1. Connect to the Internet and access a search tool such as Yahoo! or Lycos.
  2. Enter the following key search words: change, management.
  3. Prepare an outline of your presentation and share it with your class.