Mcdonald’s And Telecom In World First Mobile Move

Mcdonald’s And Telecom In World First Mobile Move

McDonald’s and Telecom Mobile have joined forces to connect up to 6,500 McDonald’s staff across the country using 027 mobile technology.

McDonald’s New Zealand chief executive Alan Dunn said the move was a first for McDonald’s anywhere in the world.

“We want to be able to talk with all our staff at the touch of a button and provide additional incentives for young people to join McDonald’s,” Mr Dunn said.

>From this week McDonald’s crew employees will receive a new 027 Nokia 2280 mobile phone equipped with a customised WAP menu enabling them to interact with the business directly.

The phones will be able to help manage crew rosters, introduce new products and provide training. Mr Dunn said one of the most important aspects would be the ability to offer weekly incentive prizes for McDonald ’s crew through competitions run via their 027 mobiles.

“We hope this move will significantly enhance our efficiency, our ability to communicate and our reputation as a leading employer.”

Telecom Mobile Head of Marketing Kevin Bowler said the development was possible because of Telecom’s ability to create customised menus for niche audiences using CDMA technology.

McDonald’s approached Telecom after they learned of a WAP menu Telecom has developed for its own staff that gives staff-related information such as contact numbers and locations over their 027 mobile phones.

Mr Bowler said the McDonald’s initiative goes considerably further, using the technology as a messaging service.

“This is a major step towards the complete integration of a head office with the farthest flung branch – the business implications are profound.”

Mr Bowler said it was also a practical demonstration of the power of the 027 network.