Technology Is Mixed Blessing For Senior Execs
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Technology is pervading nearly every aspect of senior executives' work lives, but managing the speedy flow of information that technology enables is a mixed blessing that absorbs significant time resources and creates added pressures, according to a "Quick Poll" conducted by the Chicago office of the Spencer Stuart executive search firm.
Every one of the 26 executives (all of whom are chairmen, CEOs, presidents, or senior or executive vice presidents) who participated in the poll had computers at home and used the Internet. Nearly all reported taking computers when they travel, and nearly 50% of respondents have a personal data assistant (such as a PalmPilot), which they primarily use to manage calendars and address/telephone information.
However, they also noted the costs associated with the
use of the technologies. For example, Quick Poll respondents spend significant amounts of time managing e-mail:
42% receive between 20 and 40 e-mail messages each day.
76% spend at least one hour every day reviewing and responding to e-mail.
Handling e-mail takes more than three hours each day for 12% of respondents.
Voice mail also consumes a significant chunk of their time; 41% of participants spend at least one hour each day listening to and responding to voice mail. Twenty percent spend more than two hours on voice mail every day.
While many participants noted that technology has improved the speed and flow of information, 15% also commented that technology's increased speed creates its own pressures — too much information, and demands for faster responses and decisions.