Survey Results: 32% Say BlackBerry Increases Work Time

At the risk of going into excessive detail, here are the actual results of what people said in an informal email survey over the weekend on BlackBerry and other 24/7 information tools:

• 32% said such tools reduced family time;
• 14% said the effect was neutral;
• 12% said such tools increased family time.

I don't consider the survey to be a rigorous study for several reasons: Small sample size (50), selection bias, self-selection bias and my own unscientific approach.  But I think the results can be instructive in understanding some of the management issues that emerge from such 24/7 information tools, especially in looking at what people did (as opposed to what they said) and in reading the detailed comments, posted yesterday.

Other findings:

• Many of the respondents, including those who said BlackBerry added to work time, emphasised the increased flexibility in work schedule that such tools enable.14% referred to flexibility specifically, while 6% also referred (using neutral language) to the blurring between work and family time;
• 10% used strong negative language to describe the effects on family time or to describe a feeling of enslavement by such tools, including some people who had said they had net positive feelings about using BlackBerry;
• 6% referred to increased efficiency, saying BlackBerry increased work time and family time.
• 4% referred to the positive side effects of reduced stress by being connected, and
• 4% referred to BlackBerry as an enabler of vacations and family time (in some cases with  details of extensive holidays deemed impossible without BlackBerry, or with examples from a busy work schedule.)

Comments

[Howard H. Thaw]

At least if you're going to have your BlackBerry take over your life - then you may as well enjoy it in style!

http://www.blackberrycool.com/2006/06/19/001895/

-------------

The original story was written by Mathew Ingram of the Globe and Mail.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060619.TQDEVICE19/TPStory//?query=

Thanks to a do-it-yourself modification ... .. what may be the world's only triple-coated and glazed Ferrari-red BlackBerry ….

--------------------

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060615.gtpimpjun15/BNStory/GlobeTQ/?query=