Has Technology Improved Our Life?

Was reading this article which I will like to share with all. It sets me thinking, has technolgy improved our life? Or has it make it worse off? You decide...

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Confronting the IT backlash

While technology can be a timesaving boon, could the increased use of instant messaging and emails in the workplace cause our interpersonal skills to regress? Lee Xieli finds out.

Derek Massie

Human resources director

Acergy Asia and Middle East

Personally, I am an enthusiastic user and supporter of e-communication tools. It has played a significant role in globalisation and in “shrinking the world”. However, I have some concerns that as with all tools, it has its pitfalls.

An over-reliance on this form of communication can lead to a culture of “I have sent the email” and the sub message “I have done my job”. This is a particular issue in cultures where there is discomfort around confronting openly with tough issues and emails can become an easy answer, but not a solution. In fact, it becomes an issue avoidance tool.

Whilst generation X and Y love electronic media such as emails and social networking sites such as Facebook, I am concerned the overuse may result in less well-developed social skills and relationships. This is a business and a social challenge. Lastly, despite email codes and charters, people still overuse the e-communication tools. They forget that with the absence of more critical message supporters such as body language and tone of voice, email messages can be easily misunderstood.

In summary, electronic communication is a way of life in business, but it is only a tool. Leaders need to emphasise that interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence are what develops relationships and achieves business goals. Companies can encourage their staff to work efficiently without losing the face-to-face communication. For me, the only solution is creating a culture of valuing interpersonal skills – start at recruitment, induction, appraisals and most importantly, via coaching and leadership behaviours.



Maurice Chua

Regional human resource director

AES Asia & Middle East

When you look at this from a wider perspective, face-to-face interactions were already reduced with the advent of the landline telephone. The availability of higher end technology via mobile phones, internet mail and emails simply sped up the pace of interactions. What we have today is a higher frequency of work interactions, so I do not think the increased use of technology has impacted the as-needed face-to-face interactions.

The key word is “as needed”, because face-to-face interaction is, and will continue to be, necessary if a manager wants to build good working relationship with their employees. I enjoy working in companies with a strong advocacy for employee engagement. My current company is one such company. Even though more than 80% of the employees carry a Blackberry, our business leaders continue to hold face-to-face interactions with the employees at every opportunity.

Some may argue that it was technology which increased the pace of the business world and I cannot disagree with that. However, everything is relative and the pace will always be seen as fast whether you are in the era of the landlines or mobile phones. In the future, when newer technology comes along, our current pace will be seen as slow. Everything is relative.

Systemically, it is good for the organisation to ensure the business moves at a pace they want. And when you look at the softer side of people management, it is not technology but the individual that influences the increased or reduced face-to-face interaction.

One side note though – in the interest of better work-life balance, individuals should let technology take a backseat at certain periods of their days and during weekends.



Talleah Teo

HR manager for Asia Pacific & Japan

Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific

Nothing has actually remained the same since the impact of technology has taken over our lives. After all, when was the last time someone took the pain to circulate memos by hand once technology has presented us with the use of emails? These days, it is a matter of minutes to communicate a memo to the employees and management. While the email system seems to work pretty well, but is it a good or a bad thing?

The pros:

• There are no yucky stamps to lick, no impossible-to-decipher waybills to fill out and no trips in the freezing cold to mailboxes when sending emails.

• No matter where you send your email from, even the most rambling missive takes only seconds or, at most, minutes to reach its destination.

• Outside of our normal online connection charges, email and instant messaging (IM) cost precisely nothing, especially to overseas contacts.

• Because they’re electronic, saving emails are a breeze. It also means we use fewer natural resources.

The cons:

• We’ll be exchanging pleasantries with friends and colleagues, subscribing to mailing lists and online journals, and trading info with complete strangers. Before we know it, you can spend most of your day just reading and responding to the online deluge.

• Anyone with the right amount of technical know-how can easily intercept our emails and snoop through it without us or the recipient knowing. This is where IT security and firewall play very important roles.

• There’s a downside to the easy storage of email messages. A saved copy of our tirade against a boss or colleague could easily resurface and come back to haunt you sometime in the future.

While technology can facilitate our daily lives and workplace effectiveness, we must be more sensitive and carry out face-to-face interactions when necessary.