Coping With Technology Change Corbin Ball, CMP Consultant, Writer and Speaker When laptops first appeared, computer makers called them “freedom machines” with ads showing smiling users inputting at the poolside and the beach. We don’t see these ads anymore as people are becoming increasingly aware that technology isn’t increasing our leisure time—we are working harder than ever! With voice messaging, email, pagers, palm devices, laptops, and more, we have become very adept at multitasking, but it has been at a significant price—the price of our leisure time. We are becoming time-starved as a nation of workers. At the same time, we are experiencing an explosion of new information to the point of overload. According to a recent research paper by Cyveillance, there are more than 2.1 billion unique web pages with 7.3 million pages added daily! Some of these pages are extremely useful tools for meeting professionals. However, the vast, sprawling nature of the Web has been compared to drinking out of a fire hose and not being sure of the source of the water. Where do you even start? So, here is the challenge: How do you adapt and, yes, even embrace, technology to improve productivity and save time, when you are time-starved and information overloaded? There is hope out there, however. I offer my suggestions of where to start. 1. Technology can be your friend and, ultimately, can save you time. Companies and individuals must make a commitment for computer and other technology support and training. Once you know how to find things efficiently on the Web, for example, it is like having an entire reference library at your fingertips. Efficient use of word processing, spreadsheet and database tools can improve productivity. 2. As technology advances, it will become easier. Computers and other tech tools become continually easier to use. Intelligent agents (software programs) will assist you in your tasks from surfing, commerce, and day-to-day business operations. Voice recognition will become much more widely used. Car computers will not only give us step-by-step driving directions, but also find the best route to avoid the traffic tie-ups. In the meantime, however, we must get used to the fact that technology change is happening and those that embrace it will be at an advantage. 3. We must learn to turn off the switch at times. Americans have become a nation of workaholics. The problem is that we can’t run an engine at redline indefinitely—we must strive to establish balance in our lives. Time must be set aside for our families, for friends, for recharging, for leisure activities. Learn to use technology to help you be more efficient on the job, but also, learn when to turn off the cell phone, email, and other gadgets. I believe that using technology wisely also involves knowing when to not use it. This digital revolution we are experiencing will go down in history as a more significant change in society than the industrial revolution. While it will take a while for everyone to figure it out, the opportunities for those that adapt and work with it are great. At the same time, however, we must balance our lives and not become tools of our tools. Corbin Ball, CMP, is a consultant, writer and speaker focusing on events and meetings technology. With 20 years of experience running international citywide technology meetings, he now helps clients worldwide use technology to save time and improve productivity. Corbin is also a member of Conferon’s Board of Directors. He can be contacted at his site: www.corbinball.com.