Smartphone - Smart or Not?
Many senior people in organisations like yours probably have some sort of device that alerts them anytime an email comes in. The reason for this is simple; in a high pressured working environment that expects them to perform around the clock, mobile technology helps them stay in touch 24/7.
Just as importantly, it helps them keep up with social networking, the blogs and the tweets that nowadays play a vital PR role in any company’s success.
But is all this a good thing? A PDA helps them manage their workload by keeping on top of things wherever they are. But does it tip the work life balance too far in favour of the work side?
Here’s what we believe are the pros and cons of mobile technology:
Pros
- Wherever you are you can answer that important email.
- It allows you to take impromptu time out of the office without missing what’s going on. You can steal away for 5 minutes on that romantic break in Paris to fire off a reply to a client request.
- If you really don’t want to be disturbed then you can turn it off.
- If a problem occurs while you are not in the office that may escalate if you are not involved immediately, you can be.
- Being away from the office may give you a different perspective on matters and therefore make for a more lateral response to a problem.
Cons
- Tempted even on holiday/weekends to access mail.
- Never away from the workplace.
- Feel obliged to open and act on mail even when you don’t really want to.
- The user may respond to an email too quickly, without thought, making rash promises that they then cannot deliver.
- The response may be too informal and lack the usual professional touch a client expects.
If you are managing people who have these devices, the message you want to send them is simple.
Use it wisely; manage your emails, don’t let them manage you.
For other articles on this issue see below.
CIPD - Teleworking
ICIS - Top 10 Disadvantages of Teleworking
Article written by
Alyson Pellowe: Managing Consultant
