Industramark Blog

My Blackberry: Who’s Working for Who?

June 23, 2010

By Janet Eastman, Marketing Manager

Like many people, I have become addicted to staying connected 24/7 with my Blackberry. I’ve even found myself pulling out the phone to check email during meetings and presentations. But an article I read recently highlighted the dangers of allowing technology to distract us from making good business decisions.

In the Second Quarter 2010 issue of Corporate Board Member, author John R. Engen’s article, “Mind Your Blackberry Manners,” discusses the danger of inattention during board meetings due to technology distractions. You can read the full article here:

http://www.boardmember.com/MagazineArticle_Details.aspx?id=4853

Although this article is aimed at board members, it started me thinking. How many times have I been physically present but mentally absent from a meeting due to technology distraction? We’ve all been there: the strategic presentation we can’t remember because we were checking email; the key due date we missed because we were updating our Twitter status; the question that is asked twice because we were texting and didn’t hear it.

Even though we are not all board members, we all have a responsibility to make good decisions and protect the interests of our business and our shareholders. I recently started leaving the Blackberry in my office when I head out to meetings, and not only am I more engaged in the meetings I attend, I’ve also found that I enjoy getting a break from the constant technology distraction. After all, my Blackberry should work for me…not the other way around!

Filed under: Industry Insight

Tags: Blackberry, corporate, Industramark, meetings, time management, Twitter