How Useful Are Gadgets in the Business World?
Ask any fourteen-year old if they could live without their computer, smartphone and tablet and the answer would be a resounding “no”. But for thirty or forty something adults, technology is less of a biological imperative and more of an ‘added extra’ that makes life easier under the right circumstances. So how useful are gadgets in the world of business and just how long could the average executive cope without his smartphone or iPad?
Productivity Rules
Maintaining a high level of productivity is important if you want to achieve results. Technology makes this easier by automating simple tasks and cutting out a lot of the time wasting tasks that dogged workers down a few decades ago.
Before computers were invented, a typewriter was the only way to write business letters and produce work related paperwork. Typewriters were great until you made a mistake and were forced to start all over again, although correction fluid did help matters. Thanks to computers and productivity software, we no longer have to worry about typos and silly mistakes because spell check and edit facilities enable even the most illiterate of executives to produce a perfectly typed document.
Keeping in Touch with the World
It is hard to imagine the horror of only being able to talk to people via a normal telephone. How on earth did we manage before communication via cell phones, text messaging and emails became part of everyday life? Thanks to modern technology, it is now possible to keep in touch with the rest of the world no matter where you happen to be. You can take calls, send emails, and download work documents from the cloud even if you happen to be sitting in an airport departure lounge, so you never have to miss out on what’s happening back at the office – even if you might prefer not to be kept in the loop.
Today’s modern businessman doesn’t need to run up huge bills from his hotel when he is away on business. No, he can use his mobile phone and connect to the hotel WiFi network to make free Skype calls instead. In fact, he can even take advantage of video conferencing apps on his iPad or laptop if he has to make a video call to the office.
On the downside, it isn’t always desirable to be available 24/7 and some of us actually want to have a life away from the office.
App Happy
One of the biggest technological developments in recent years is mobile applications, or ‘apps’ as we prefer to call them. There is an app available for pretty much everything these days. We can download apps to enable us to view work files on our smartphone, talk for free on WiFi, or even keep us sane when the monthly staff meetings threaten to send us into a coma. And who on earth can live without the YouTube app? Work just wouldn’t be bearable without a few cute cat videos to bring a bit of sunshine into an otherwise overcast day at the office.
The Entertainment Factor
Aside from unbearably adorable kitten videos, gadgets are hugely entertaining and a must-have accessory for the daily commute. You can use your tablet or smartphone to play games, read eBooks, catch up on the news, or just listen to your favourite tunes. And if things are really bad, download an app to determine how depressed you are.
It is hard to dispute the usefulness of gadgets in the business world. Most businesses, large and small, would probably fall apart if their employees didn’t have access to smartphones, laptops and all of the other gadgets we take for granted these days. And if you don’t believe me, try spending a day at work without your smartphone or laptop. I guarantee you won’t get much done.
