Common sense
There is no question that the cellphone has changed all our lives. It has definitely made the world smaller in terms of communicating with one another. The different time zones of the planet serve as the only hindrance to being able to talk to anybody, anywhere. With the advent of the "smartphone", even the internet is accessible 24/7. But for some, there lies the rub.
Because these smartphones offer all-day internet, cameras and communication, it also offers all-day distractions to those who are supposed to be at work. How many times have we heard the complaints of employers and businesses regarding personal cellphone use while at work? How many times have you seen a policeman on the phone while standing on one corner of the road, supposedly directing traffic? How many times have you seen salespersons on the phone while at work? I can go on and on about those who are expected to be working, but are just too busy on their phones.
According to Socialnomics, we are bombarded by a deluge of information that has led to an atmosphere of productivity loss. I especially like the term coined as "me time entitlement." Consequently, it has become more important to let everyone know about oneself, that even the most mundane, insignificant, non-essential aspect of oneself must be uploaded for everyone to see. And see they do.
According to Forbes.com, the amount of time wasted per week on a non-work related website is staggering. 39% of employees waste less than an hour, 29% waste 1-2 hours, 21% waste 2-5 hours, 8% waste 6-10 hours. That's practically a whole day's work, isn't it? The main culprits for all this wasted time, social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and all that. We are not even mentioning online shopping.
And apparently, this problem isn't just reflected at the office or the factory. I have several friends who had to let go of their maids, because they just won't stop texting, talking or surfing the net while at work! The smartphone has become available even to those who really shouldn't have them in the first place. Instead of hard earned money going to relatives in the provinces, they go to cellphone and internet loads, as they just cannot stay off the social media sites, or stop talking and texting friends and relatives.
Companies have several guidelines regarding the use of cellphones while at work. But are they being enforced? I can imagine what productivity must have been for these companies when cellphones were only meant for talking. While there is no question that connectivity can be a powerful tool for progress and profit, it can also stifle it. Going back to the household help spending too much time on their phones, it really boils down to common sense. When there is work to be done, no use of phones. It is as simple as that.
But then again, even the simplest of things can elude the smartest of minds.
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