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| Techies in Sync - CIO Survey: E-mail, In-Person Conversations Preferred Forms |
November 17, 2008 |
TORONTO, Nov. 17 /CNW/ - While smartphones, instant messaging and other communication tools may be distracting at times, there appears to be an upside: A majority (57 per cent) of chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed recently said they feel more connected to colleagues given the prevalence of new technologies in the workplace. Still, e-mail and in-person conversations remain the preferred ways to communicate, according to 49 per cent and 34 per cent of CIOs, respectively.
The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of information technology professionals on a project and full-time basis, and conducted by an independent research firm. It was based on telephone interviews with more than 270 CIOs from across Canada.
CIOs were asked, "Do you feel more or less connected to your coworkers given the prevalence of new technologies in the workplace?" Their responses:
| Much more connected |
31% |
| Somewhat more connected |
26% |
| Neither more nor less connected |
24% |
| Somewhat less connected |
15% |
| Much less connected |
3% |
| Don't know/no answer |
1% |
|
100% |
Respondents also were asked, "What is the preferred way for IT staff to
communicate with each other in the office?" Their responses:
| E-mail |
49% |
| In-person conversations |
34% |
| Phone |
6% |
| Instant messaging |
5% |
| Text messaging |
1% |
| Don't know/no answer |
5% |
| |
100% |
"E-mail is effective for quick exchanges and keeping written records of decisions," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. "However, when conveying potentially sensitive information, nothing can replace the value of face-to-face communication."
Lee noted that choosing the right medium for the message is particularly important in times of economic uncertainty. "Companies that make difficult decisions in response to a more challenging business climate must communicate proactively and diplomatically with staff," she said. "It's not just the content of the message, but the manner in which it's delivered that has an effect on employees and how they, in turn, communicate with each other."
About the Survey
The national survey was developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of information technology professionals on a project and full-time basis, and conducted by an independent research firm. The survey is based on more than 270 telephone interviews with CIOs from a random sample of Canadian companies. In order for the survey to be statistically representative and ensure that companies from all segments were represented, the sample was stratified by geographic region and industry. The results were then weighted to reflect the proper proportions of the number of employees within each region.
About Robert Half Technology
With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at www.rht.com.
For further information: Robert Half Technology, 181 Bay Street, Suite 840, Toronto, ON, M5J 2T3, Kristie Perrotte, (416) 350-2330 , kristie.perrotte@rhi.com
© 2005 CNW Group Ltd, all rights reserved
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