Everyone is busy, just ask them. Society is demanding more time from us, family, work, mates, work, sport, work. The line between work and play is blurring and unfortunately it’s more work less play. A lot of us are now 24/7 workers whether we like it or not…and it seems to be getting worse as there’s almost an expectation now that you have no life outside of work….its work work work and more work. Personal devices are now work devices and work devices are now personal…the iphone, blackberry, ipad and laptops, netbooks….All are portals for anyone and everyone to access our time.
Everything now revolves around computers and information
Love it or hate it for the majority of us, the reality is our work, our life, our everything revolves around computers and information…so if there are inflexibilities in your IT they will affect your time management and life in general…it will dictate how you work, when you work and time you work….but more importantly how you play, the time you play and when or if you play at all!
Some people have even forgotten how to play…We’ve all seen them, the workaholics – they can’t stand sitting still, they just can’t unwind or relax easily, they need to be doing something work related in order to chill out…play time almost seems to bore them..
It’s the 21st century; the information age; we need to work smarter not harder or longer.
The common denominator for work is IT.
It’s time to take back control
So, is your IT supporting you? If yes, great! We’d love to hear examples of how your team benefits from this!
If not, consider getting it fixed so it is supporting your business. If you need 24/7 access then get on it and put that in place. If you need to improve response times, then create a plan and action it. If you need better security or a more reliable system then make it happen. Create your IT action plan and call a meeting with your IT guys.
It’s the little things that count
It’s the little things that count, which generally means that it’s not always going to cost a packet.
Some people work better in the mornings, some at night, some don’t work at all and some work around the clock. If you and your team have the ability to update your company information from wherever you are it’s a gimme that your system is going to be more efficient and your team will love the flexibility.
Imagine updating your timesheet from your phone
Imagine updating your timesheet from your phone on-the-road so your accounts clerk can invoice the client on same day! But more importantly you can go straight from the client to home rather than back to the office to update the system.
You may be able to be as flexible as to allow you and your team to work their 40 hours a week whenever they want. That provides an environment that encourages work/life balance! That’s real options for employees and creates valued employers.
The possibilities open up when you have no limits on your IT
Pickup the kids early, and pickup the additional hours later when more convenient.
Actually get home for dinner on time to spend with the family and then access the system online to finish that report off later that night.
Is that business trip really necessary? How about a Skype hookup or webinar?
Get out on the fairway! Your iPad is super portable.
Stay at home Mum and Dad’s can now stay in the workforce. Don’t let your new mothers leave for good and lose all that company experience.
Go on holidays. If your IT supports you, now you can!
Work hard, play hard, but definitely get some downtime and give yourself that flexibility to strike that balance.
Make your IT; a lean, mean, super flexible machine!
What does a flexible IT system mean to you?
I’d love to hear what differences a flexible IT system would make for your work/life balance. Please leave a comment below.
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