Comments on: With a Blackberry, Are You a 7/24 Employee? http://www.markevanstech.com/2008/05/02/with-a-blackberry-are-you-a-724-employee/ A Canadian Take on the Web Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:10:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Adam http://www.markevanstech.com/2008/05/02/with-a-blackberry-are-you-a-724-employee/#comment-60227 Adam Thu, 08 May 2008 17:52:17 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=3379#comment-60227 Nice article, very relevant, but isn't the expression "24/7"? Nice article, very relevant, but isn’t the expression “24/7″?

]]> By: Roman http://www.markevanstech.com/2008/05/02/with-a-blackberry-are-you-a-724-employee/#comment-58194 Roman Fri, 02 May 2008 14:26:20 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=3379#comment-58194 The worst thing is when company gives you laptop and bb together. I remember that when I just started working I really wanted both, because it was a sign of status. When I finally received bothI realized that now my management expects me to know everything 24/7. Now I have bunch of unopened emails both on my blackberry . I just cant answer or see it all, so I check it every hour or so to quickly scan if there any emails that are life threatening. Usually there are none. At the end of the week I just delete most of these emails. Ever tried to have bb for work and Iphone for personal use? Can make your life crazy! The worst thing is when company gives you laptop and bb together. I remember that when I just started working I really wanted both, because it was a sign of status. When I finally received bothI realized that now my management expects me to know everything 24/7.

Now I have bunch of unopened emails both on my blackberry . I just cant answer or see it all, so I check it every hour or so to quickly scan if there any emails that are life threatening. Usually there are none.

At the end of the week I just delete most of these emails.
Ever tried to have bb for work and Iphone for personal use? Can make your life crazy!

]]> By: Mark Evans http://www.markevanstech.com/2008/05/02/with-a-blackberry-are-you-a-724-employee/#comment-58187 Mark Evans Fri, 02 May 2008 13:43:45 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=3379#comment-58187 E Guy: I agree that people are probably working the same; it's just being spread out over 24 hours as opposed to nine. Paul: Good points about setting expectations and the rules of engagement. E Guy: I agree that people are probably working the same; it’s just being spread out over 24 hours as opposed to nine.

Paul: Good points about setting expectations and the rules of engagement.

]]> By: Paul http://www.markevanstech.com/2008/05/02/with-a-blackberry-are-you-a-724-employee/#comment-58183 Paul Fri, 02 May 2008 13:07:30 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=3379#comment-58183 As a co-founder of a start-up, a blackberry is a lifeline and sure it is 7/24 but that comes with the territory of being a founder and work/life does blur. Though when providing a blackberry/iPhone to an employee, it is the employers responsibility to set out clear expectations on availability and use. If the role entails being in constant contact via a device, then it needs to be outlined AND compensated for. It's all about setting appropriate expectations. You touch on a couple good points that comes down to balance - these devices should provide individuals with flexibility though not become obsessive. As a co-founder of a start-up, a blackberry is a lifeline and sure it is 7/24 but that comes with the territory of being a founder and work/life does blur. Though when providing a blackberry/iPhone to an employee, it is the employers responsibility to set out clear expectations on availability and use. If the role entails being in constant contact via a device, then it needs to be outlined AND compensated for. It’s all about setting appropriate expectations. You touch on a couple good points that comes down to balance - these devices should provide individuals with flexibility though not become obsessive.

]]> By: E Guy http://www.markevanstech.com/2008/05/02/with-a-blackberry-are-you-a-724-employee/#comment-58178 E Guy Fri, 02 May 2008 12:21:04 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=3379#comment-58178 I'm not convinced that there is an appreciably higher time spent on work post blackberry than pre blackberry. The blackberry may have replaced a heavier briefcase that was previously filled with papers that would be worked on while home. As to the father doing his email while attending his child's concert etc, that is bad parenting. I know I may receive a backlash for that comment but face it, it is. Children know when parents are engaged with them and when parents are there physically but elsewhere emotionally. It is similar to business types in a meeting and doing their email on their PDA. Either engage with your audience (family or business colleagues) or not. Don't try and suck and blow at the same time. I’m not convinced that there is an appreciably higher time spent on work post blackberry than pre blackberry. The blackberry may have replaced a heavier briefcase that was previously filled with papers that would be worked on while home.

As to the father doing his email while attending his child’s concert etc, that is bad parenting. I know I may receive a backlash for that comment but face it, it is. Children know when parents are engaged with them and when parents are there physically but elsewhere emotionally. It is similar to business types in a meeting and doing their email on their PDA. Either engage with your audience (family or business colleagues) or not. Don’t try and suck and blow at the same time.

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