As the world gathered in front of television sets to catch the Fifa World Cup inaugural programme, the mood at Mahindra Satyam’s Hyderabad campus was one of celebration. Techies left their cubicles and came down to the sports field. The company had organised a penalty shoot-out competition among employees, while Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ was beamed live across two big screens and scores of TV sets installed across the office. And when the first match kicked off between South Africa and Mexico, the party started with an unlimited flow of snacks and beverages.

Mahindra Satyam has decided to organise such screenings during all the big matches. And such celebrations will continue across its delivery centres. Mahindra Satyam may have a special reason, with the company being the official IT service provider of the Fifa World Cup. But soccer fever has hit India Inc equally hard. Several companies are setting up special screening zones, decorating workstations with jerseys and posters, organising soccer tournaments, offering free tickets and even flexible working hours for the next one month.

Quick service restaurant chain McDonald’s , for instance, has the option of flexi-timing for its football-crazy employees. US-based KPO, Acclaris has decorated its delivery centres in Kolkata and Vizag with flags and jerseys, set up big screens in the cafeteria and is even allowing its night-shift employees to wear their favourite jerseys. Employees are eligible to take small breaks between work to view the matches.

Many India Inc top notches believe that there is no point in suppressing employees from indulging in fun since it might be counter-productive. They are free to get completely caught up in the World Cup fever, provided they are able to give their deliverables on time, even if they are required to work extra hours.

The silver lining this time around is that in India, most of the matches are scheduled in the late evening hours, when most employees wrap up work. But in sectors like IT, BPOs and banking, where employees keep long hours or work round-the-clock , the fun quotient is limited.

The Fun part is that employees at ZaaBiz are being given flexi-timing options in order to enjoy football finale. ZaaBiz has also organized ‘Football Forecasting’ contest wherein contestants forecast probable winners for matches every day. Prizes are distributed on daily basis and the employee who wins maximum during the 30 day tournament will get a grand prize. Isen’t this exiting? So if you are enticed by this idea or such similar ideas ask your company to join the football fever bandwagon as its a once in 4 year opportunity.

More and more businesses are taking their messages and products to the Internet via social networking websites that allows people to say what they need. Social media enthusiast believe its a new way to spread word of mouth and its easier and quicker to communicate. Social networking site allows users to upload and share information Networkers also use the social networks to let customers try products, remind them of current offerings and give followers special deals like free food.

A study from Access Markets International reports nearly 70 percent of small businesses in western countries use social media. The trend is not far when even developing countries like India will catch up with the trend. Although the usage of social media among Indian users has grown phenomenally over the past 12 months, but there is heaps of potential to go further.

According to a recent study by Edison Research, 51 percent of active users follow companies, brands or products on social networks. Companies also are using social networks to send coupons and specials to customers. The engagement of the consumers through social networks is quick and responsive. It attempts to break the schakles of how traditional media works. The future for brands, corporations and small companies is definitely social media especially when it delivers results in cost-effective and quick way. The only thing that needs to be addressed is an investment in time as no profits are reaped with immediate effect.