With all the new technology advances and increased methods of communication, there is some general feeling that we are better off in our business lives. The mobile lifestyle initially sounds like a great idea. More real time communication options including wireless and more instant connectivity to data seem to make us all more accessible and willing human data storage devices. But let's look at some of the negative effects and impacts that have surfaced in our business and corporate lives. These all result from the advances that have emerged in internet and communication methods over the past few years.
First, 'Crackberry' addictions, which includes people who can not stop using their Blackberry. Blackberries are now the rage in the corporate world and are joined by a host of smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDA) and other mobile devices. There are now employee disability claims from PDA overuse in addition to overall rudeness from interrupting meetings, conversations and business protocol. 'Blackberry Thumb' has become a serious concern for employers as use of the PDA is more prevalent and goes beyond normal business hours. With Blackberries, Treos, and Sidekicks growing in popularity, these side effects will surely mount, leading to potential increases in disability claims and demands for overtime compensation.
Second, there are numerous claims of increased health risks surrounding cell phone overuse including cancer, neck strain and driver inattention accident claims. California has recently passed legislation that will require hands-free use of cell phones while driving and the debate rages on about the health, disability and etiquette issues of their use today.
Continuous Partial Attention is one of my favorites that was coined by Linda Stone, a vice president of Microsoft. Stone used this term to describe the way we cope with the barrage of communication coming at us. We see this in the workplace when someone is working while checking their various email accounts, desktop applications, IM, cell phone and office phone calls.
Internet Access Deficiency Syndrome is a term I created to describe the compulsion to be "on-net," that is, surfing the net or checking e-mails endlessly. Businesses are losing their productivity and families their members as they fall into the never ending black hole of web-surfing and e-mail fever.
These impacts have led to some important conditions and concerns in both the business world and our personal lives, such as the loss of soft social skills and an inability to unplug and relax.
The coming generation may have not witnessed some of the "old school" social experiences that have historically shaped our social skills and as a result interpersonal skills are now becoming pass?. It is now more incumbent upon students and young professionals to find opportunities to improve their business social skills and manage or harness their electronic communication.
I have some simple guidelines and advice to help keep you sane, balance your business life, and maintain productivity in spite of all of these new fangled gadgets. First, try going electronic-less every now and then. Remember that e-mail is not usually time-sensitive and e-mail is never very urgent, and that business communication needs to be managed separate from personal communication.
These innovative communication technologies can provide new capabilities and become productivity tools for our business and personal lives. The cell phone and PDA can be used to allow us to perform work in shorter periods of time and to travel more efficiently than in the past. The amount of work and communication that can happen while we are out of the office has increased while the need to be in the office has diminished. But, we need to make sure that the side effects from their overuse do not cause serious disabilities or the loss of balance in our lives. As other new communication technologies emerge and increase in use, the need will remain to assess their fit into your business and personal lifestyle and not allow them to completely replace live, face-to-face communications and the development of personalized social skills. This will make sure that we are truly better off.
First, 'Crackberry' addictions, which includes people who can not stop using their Blackberry. Blackberries are now the rage in the corporate world and are joined by a host of smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDA) and other mobile devices. There are now employee disability claims from PDA overuse in addition to overall rudeness from interrupting meetings, conversations and business protocol. 'Blackberry Thumb' has become a serious concern for employers as use of the PDA is more prevalent and goes beyond normal business hours. With Blackberries, Treos, and Sidekicks growing in popularity, these side effects will surely mount, leading to potential increases in disability claims and demands for overtime compensation.
Second, there are numerous claims of increased health risks surrounding cell phone overuse including cancer, neck strain and driver inattention accident claims. California has recently passed legislation that will require hands-free use of cell phones while driving and the debate rages on about the health, disability and etiquette issues of their use today.
Continuous Partial Attention is one of my favorites that was coined by Linda Stone, a vice president of Microsoft. Stone used this term to describe the way we cope with the barrage of communication coming at us. We see this in the workplace when someone is working while checking their various email accounts, desktop applications, IM, cell phone and office phone calls.
Internet Access Deficiency Syndrome is a term I created to describe the compulsion to be "on-net," that is, surfing the net or checking e-mails endlessly. Businesses are losing their productivity and families their members as they fall into the never ending black hole of web-surfing and e-mail fever.
These impacts have led to some important conditions and concerns in both the business world and our personal lives, such as the loss of soft social skills and an inability to unplug and relax.
The coming generation may have not witnessed some of the "old school" social experiences that have historically shaped our social skills and as a result interpersonal skills are now becoming pass?. It is now more incumbent upon students and young professionals to find opportunities to improve their business social skills and manage or harness their electronic communication.
I have some simple guidelines and advice to help keep you sane, balance your business life, and maintain productivity in spite of all of these new fangled gadgets. First, try going electronic-less every now and then. Remember that e-mail is not usually time-sensitive and e-mail is never very urgent, and that business communication needs to be managed separate from personal communication.
These innovative communication technologies can provide new capabilities and become productivity tools for our business and personal lives. The cell phone and PDA can be used to allow us to perform work in shorter periods of time and to travel more efficiently than in the past. The amount of work and communication that can happen while we are out of the office has increased while the need to be in the office has diminished. But, we need to make sure that the side effects from their overuse do not cause serious disabilities or the loss of balance in our lives. As other new communication technologies emerge and increase in use, the need will remain to assess their fit into your business and personal lifestyle and not allow them to completely replace live, face-to-face communications and the development of personalized social skills. This will make sure that we are truly better off.