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March 2006
King's College in London conducted
a study in 2005, evaluating the effect of distractions on IQ.
One group of subjects checked email and responded to instant messages
while taking an IQ test. The second group of subjects took the
same IQ test without any distractions.
The result was a 10 point
difference in IQ scores. The multi-taskers' scores were 10 points
lower than the focused test-takers.
So how do you think multi-tasking
impacts the results of your employees' productivity or your own
productivity?
We think we're doing so well
by getting so many things done at once. This study puts fact behind
our fears that multi-tasking isn't always best. I joke that our
culture creates an "attention deficit" style of working
and operating. We function on the 7 minute intervals that TV has
set between story line and commercial break. We've created a short
attention span, that is exacerbated by constant interruptions
in the workplace.
So what can you do about it?
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Block
off times when you allow no interruption
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Reward yourself
and your staff for long periods of productivity
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Set rules in
your office regarding unnecessary interruptions
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Limit how many
times you check and work on email
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Discuss this
issue with your employees and coworkers to create a more focused,
productive environment
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If
you're not
having fun
with your
human resources,
call Arlene today
at 952-996-0975 |
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| MORE
TECH - LESS TOUCH |
In the last few days I've received lots of information on the
issue of Technology and Personal Touch in the workplace. No,
this isn't about harassment - that's a separate topic. This
is about how email, voice mail, cell phones, BlackBerry's and
other new technology keeps us from connecting in person with
coworkers, clients, customers, and the many others with whom
we conduct our business.
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How often have you
played "email tag" - sending 1-line or 2-line emails
back and forth to someone when a telephone call or a visit
to their office would have gleaned faster or better results?
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Are you a self-described
e-mail addict - checking your emails multiple times an hour
to see what surprises this magical service has in store for
you?
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Have you ever calculated
how much time you spend communicating with people by reading
and receiving emails and by exchanging voice mails?
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Are these wonderful
technologies increasing or decreasing our productivity?
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Is technology truly
increasing interaction or just creating new distractions?
What do you think the true impact
of this instant availability is on our employee productivity?
What do we lose by allowing ourselves a life of constant interruptions?
Does the benefit of multi-tasking outweigh the productivity
factor of focused concentration?
I think it's time we stop to analyze
the true effectiveness of our time management, our technology
management and its impact on our people management. While our
tools and instruments offer us a tremendous benefit, have you
considered what they may also be costing us?
Copyright (c) 2006 Arlene
Vernon, HRx, Inc. |
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MORE TOUCH - LESS TECH |
I attended a presentation by Audrey
Thomas of Organized Audrey and she shared many interesting facts
and examples regarding organization, time management and email.
One story that piqued my interest was Veritas Software's marketing
manager who required that his employees stop sending interoffice
email on Fridays. After the initial "shock" wore off,
employees found an increase in one-on-one interaction by phone
and in person, and this increased interaction also improved
employee morale. This seemingly minor adjustment changed the
way these employees accomplished their work and enhanced the
team environment by reconnecting its employees. More touch -
More fun!
We spend hours and hours in our offices,
cubicles, and office buildings working more and more independently
with less and less face-to-face contact. Logic told us this
was making us more efficient, but experience and research (refer
to left column) tells us we're not as efficient as we think.
Evaluate your workplace.
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What's working and
what's not relating to technology's impact on The Personal
Touch? Do you see evidence of gaps in service or relationships
?
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Are you providing
the best "service" to your staff, coworkers and
customers with your current methods for reaching out to them?
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Are employees using
technology as a crutch to avoid people?
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Are they hiding
behind writing difficult communications rather than having
direct conversations with people?
If you were to step
back and reinvent office communications, as one department in
Veritas has, what would you do differently? It may be time to
encourage your employees to do more face-to-face with coworkers
and customers. If you're unsure of the impact of these issues
on your team, it's time to get an answer. Brainstorm the impact
of being technology-tied with your employees and as a team create
solutions for making sure you're as high-touch as you are high-tech.
Copyright (c) 2006 Arlene Vernon,
HRx, Inc.
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About
Arlene Vernon |
| Arlene
Vernon, PHR, partners with small businesses as their Human Resource
Xpert to create their HR systems and solve their HR problems.
If you have gaps in your HR operation, have an employee problem
to solve, or want to enhance your managers' skills, call Arlene
today. Learn how HRx can save you time and help you avoid costly
HR mistakes. HRx, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN 55344, 952-996-0975,
www.HRxcellence.com.
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