Technology: Friend and Foe!Claude Oppenheim, Ph.D., President It is hard to imagine how we would do almost any kind of work without using computer technology. We have become so dependent on it. However, we have all experienced the pitfalls of technology. These include time and work lost through equipment problems, risks to security of sensitive information, vulnerability to sabotage by hackers, the expense of maintaining and updating equipment and software, and time wasted by the over-use of technology. The challenge is how to make technology serve us, rather than to allow ourselves to become its slaves. Are we using technology to make us more efficient, or to produce higher quality work; or are we making work unnecessarily complicated when a low-tech solution would be easier, quicker, and as effective? Are we using technology to save time, or are we allowing 24/7/365 access to email and voicemail to rob us of all leisure? These questions cannot be quickly answered, and once and for all time. They are, however, questions that we need to consider as we assess whether we are working "smart" or merely "hard". It would be worthwhile for organizations to periodically review with employees their experience of technology in the workplace, share ideas about how to use it well, and avoid falling prey to its pitfalls. Oppenheim Education and Management Consulting offers consulting and training on governance, leadership, administration, and program and performance evaluation. |