Harnessing Web 2.0 for better business efficiency

Article Type: e-HR From: Strategic HR Review, Volume 11, Issue 3

How technology is changing the way HR works

Your workforce is drowning under a constant deluge of email alerts, instant messages, phone calls, tweets and more, with productivity suffering as a result. According to Clearswift’s (2011) latest Work Life Web report, 70 percent of employees report that email and social networking are actually distractions in the workplace. This corroborates industry research conducted by uSamp on behalf of harmon.ie (2011) that states office workers change windows or check email or other programs nearly 37 times an hour; are interrupted at least every 15 minutes; and waste another 10 to 15 minutes before returning to focus on the task at hand.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that under the constant pressure of this digital overload, people are having trouble carrying out their responsibilities with the necessary effort and focus. Never has there been a better time, nor more reason, for management to stop turning a blind eye to the problem and instead find better ways to help people manage their digital overload.

Control hinders productivity

I have often come across frustrated managers who “have tried everything”and found that nothing works. In my experience it is because, rather than work with their staff, they have tried to control their access to Web 2.0 services.

The reality is that draconian controls hinder productivity, a fact further substantiated by Clearswift’s study. Its report states that “If a company was to introduce stricter social media guidelines, the employee backlash would be significant: 26 percent would become demotivated, 14 percent would work around the policy and 3 percent would consider leaving.”

Now that we have established what does not work, let us turn our attention to what will help.

David LavendaVice President of Marketing and Product Strategy at harmon.ie.