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Communication Technology And Stress – Part 2

In the first part of this article we studied about how email changed our lives forever. In a way email made all of us easily accessible but also added lot of stress in our lives. It is said that Begum Noorjahan, queen of Mughal Emperor Jehangir had trained pigeons that carried her messages. She had no stress about how they reached their destination and when. Whereas we get frantic if an expected email does not arrive in time. This age of information technology has made many medical professionals who treat stress related diseases much richer.

The next quantum jump was with online chat. You will find many people who are constantly on the look out of friends who are online for chat. Why? So that they can discuss something with them while doing their work at the same time. Most of such chats are of no use except that they are fantastic stress builders and work spoilers. Earlier we used to go out to meet friends. Now a days we join chat rooms and chat with people about whose real identity we have no clue. A man may be acting as a woman and vice versa.

Somehow we are forgetting our purpose of life because we are being bombarded with technology. We have forgotten that there is something like joy, fun, reflection, and peace. There is no peace in lives of most of those who are online. The stress effects are very perilous. It may cause depression, cardiac problems, affect immune system and play havoc with our health. But we are not concerned because most of us are busy with our personal computers. A time may soon come when more and more people will meet their friends only online and may not meet them physically for years.

In the next part of this article we will find out about how discussion boards may be causing stress to most of us.

Technology And Work Satisfaction

Technology relates to both the physical aspects of machines, equipment, processes and work layout, and the actual methods, systems and procedures involved in the carrying out of work. Technology is therefore a major influence on the general climate of the organization and the behavior of people at work.

During a study in a new American car assembly, developed by Chrysler, Walker and Guest, researchers examined the effects of mass production. They describe the characteristics of assembly line as: repetitious and machine paced; involving a minimum of skill; using predetermined techniques with no choice of tools or methods; and closely defined divisions of the production process. The workers were able to perform their jobs with only ‘surface mental attention’.

The nature of the job, the technological layout and the high level of noise restricted the amount of social interaction and contacts that workers could have with each other. The opportunities for interpersonal relationships were vital, and when these were missing the workers felt deprived. The workers’ main contact with authority was through the supervisors and this was an vital factor in job satisfaction. There was small contact with the managers and as a result relationships with management were considered of small importance. They also had a higher rate of absenteeism than workers did in jobs with fewer characteristics of mass production.

Although these negative results exist in most of today’s business units, information technology can have a severe positive impact on job satisfaction. New patterns of work organization are demanded, the nature and content of individual jobs is altered, the function and structure of work groups is subject to change, supervision systems are being renewed, responsibilities are shifted, and the management task adopts a new role.

Speaking generally, the major effect of computers, robots, and other new technologies on job design seems to be that the role of the human half of the partnership has changed, not that it has become less vital. The new technology is making a need for better-trained employees, in nearly every case. The computerization of the banking industry has considerably expanded not diminished, teller training needs for example.

Because automation increase the need for skilled employees, research finds that the people who see automation as a threat to their job security tend to be skilled in opposition to those with higher skill levels. Employees with high skill levels react more favorably, seeing the situation as making opportunities for them to expand their work skills.

The Simple Technology of Sleeping Bags

Camping is a recreational outdoor activity undertaken by millions in the world. Camping may be done together with other outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing, rafting, backpacking, or mountain climbing.

People usually go camping to find solace in the peace, silent, beauty, and wonder of nature and get away from busy, noisy, chaotic, urban life. Typically, campers spend a night or two at a campsite. Recreational campers set campsites in national parks, publicly owned natural places, and privately owned campgrounds. More adventurous campers camp in wild, uncharted regions that are nearly inaccessible-and sometimes restricted-to the public.

Since campers may spend several nights outdoors, they need to use something that can keep them warm when they sleep. They need something between the ground and themselves when they turn in. Since it is generally impractical to bring a bed, most campers bring a sleeping bag with them.

Sleeping bags are thick, protective “bags” for people to sleep in. In essence, sleeping bags are thick, closeable blankets. Sleeping bags provide warmth and insulation. Sleeping bags can also shield campers from wind, precipitation, ground temperature, and exposure from unwanted view.

A sleeping bag is simple in design. Typically, it is a square blanket that is fitted with a zipper, a set of buttons, or similar closing materials on one or both sides. This allows the sleeping bag to be folded in half and secure in this position. A person can then crawl inside the cavity. A normal sleeping bag is suitable for most camping needs; but, for more demanding requirements such as winter camping, thicker, and larger bags, called mummy bags, are needed.

Placed between the fabrics that make up the outer shell of sleeping bags is insulation. That is what makes sleeping bags thick and warm. There are different insulating materials that are used for sleeping bags. Most outdoorsmen prefer a synthetic kind of insulation such as PrimaLoft. Synthetic insulation does not easily absorb water, dries quickly, and still provides warmth even if the bag is soaked and damp.

Another quality of synthetic insulation is that it is firm and resilient. That means the sleeping bag still insulates a person quite well even if it is underneath a person’s weight.

The disadvantage of synthetic-insulated sleeping bags is that they cannot be compressed easily. That means they are much harder to roll up for stowage and takes up more space in a campers pack when it is not being used.

Commonly paired with sleeping bags are bivouac sacks. These are waterproof covers for sleeping bags. The tandem can be used in place of a tent, especially if the campers are packing light. Sleeping bags and bivouac sacks can also be used as backup gear during foul weather.

For even more comfort, many campers carry sleeping pads along with sleeping bags. Sleeping pads are placed underneath sleeping bags in order to have cushion, which gives campers a more comfortable rest. Alternately they can opt to use air mattresses which can be inflated and deflated.

Sleeping bags are a must for every camper. Never go camping without one.

Tips And Technology For Six Sigma In Mobile Workforces

But, success has not been consistent everywhere. In areas of highly mobile workforces, such as sales and services, deployments have always been a challenge, even though these people are the ones who are in constant touch with customers.

Some organizations that have tried to use Six Sigma in field sales have used information technology solutions too soon. There is a incorrect perception that Six Sigma will interfere with the productivity of the sales staff or take up time that they would rather spend with customers.

There is a lack of data and well-defined processes which leads to variation in work methods, and a process to build upon. Sales staff and others that have their own pace feel that Six Sigma is adverse to their success. Sales staff and field staff are always on the go, and to get them together for Six Sigma training is very hard.

For successfully implementing Six Sigma in a mobile workforce a few tips are listed below:

Single Out the Relevant Critical Y’s

This is one thing that the mobile workforces are always advised to follow, whether it is Six Sigma or other improvement techniques. If Six Sigma tools and methods were beneficial to them and their goals, then staff members would be open to such change.

This means that if price, profitability, costs, productivity and cash were taken as the underlying factors for their business definition, they would be open to such change. Linking specific outcomes (i.e. the critical Ys) to the field process that affects their targeted goal is the starting point to fill in gaps in the process.

Supporting the Field Staff

The field staff will initially resist Six Sigma, as they feel that it takes time they need to spend with customers. If sales effectiveness techniques are developed, they will allow the initiative to go ahead. By reducing the amount of time to be spent by staff on Six Sigma training, if companies ensure an awareness of the tools and approaches with small training, they will accept the usefulness of the tools and methodology.

Using simple tools and methods relevant to the people and the project, the identification and mapping of the relationship between the various factors can become very useful.

Emphasis on Technology for Data Gathering

Effective use of technology can be beneficial for Six Sigma projects with mobile workforces. Success is dependent on the sharing of thoughts and other communication. Entering data into various applications can become cumbersome for them; that can be overcome by the usage of personal digital assistants (PDA) equipped with Mobile task Application (MTA) software.

The objection to maintaining data can be overcome with the use of technology, which allows the organization to manually track data. The speed and ease of data collection assists in reducing delays in performance and outcome.

Once entered, data can easily be retrieved later for business management and improvement purposes. This helps schedulers to get instant data on demand and better manage customer needs.

Change Management

Though there is initial resistance to change, if companies give sufficient attention to various factors of change management, the process becomes simpler. By making a clear case for Six Sigma, project leaders can demonstrate the data that shows why and how improvements are to be brought about.

The involvement and communication of all concerned and affected people is necessary. Six Sigma training and periodic discussion on the Six Sigma approach forms a major part of this process. By changing organizational structure, policies and procedures to make it simpler for staff to comply with the changes, better compliance of Six Sigma can be expected.

Using Six Sigma methods in sales and field staff areas is very hard. If managers use technology effectively to simplify tasks, they will become simpler and Six Sigma would then be accepted by mobile workforces better.

Metavante Will Showcase Its Lending Solutions for All Financial Services Organizations at the 2008 Financial Services Technology Forum

Aug 26, 2008 – Toronto, Canada – Metavante will showcase its integrated banking and payment solutions for financial service organizations at the 2008 Financial Services Technology Forum scheduled on October 28 & 29, 2008 at the Design Exchange in Toronto, Canada.

 

Metavante Lending Solutions provides technology and service solutions for mortgage, home equity, consumer and indirect retail finance loan origination. Lending solutions are offered for point-of-sale origination, processing, closing, automated underwriting, decisioning and business process management, as well as processing, settlement and document generation services. Metavante’s lending solutions are used to better market, sell, process and close loans through all distribution channels, including retail, wholesale, Internet and correspondent. Metavante Lending Solutions helps clients of all sizes, from community banks to the top financial institutions in North America, including five of the top 20 U.S. mortgage lenders.

 

The 2008 Financial Services Technology Forum focuses on new, cutting-edge enterprise applications and solutions that are sustainable, flexible, and increase profitability, presented via interactive expositions and engaging conference sessions presented to all corporate users, from service providers to small, medium and large businesses alike.

  

 

About WowGao Inc.

WowGao Inc. is an Event Management Company that organizes and manages internationally renowned conferences and expositions focusing on latest innovations and developments in Information Technology Industry since 2003. We have been honored with an award for our excellence. Our featured events are:

- 2008 Financial Services Technology Forum, October 28 & 29, 2008
- 2009 Government & Health Technologies Conference and Expo, April 28 & 29, 2009
- 2009 Wireless & Mobile Expo and Conference, June, 2009

- 2009 RFID Forum, June, 2009

 

 

For any media queries:

Director of Marketing,
416-292-0038 ext 812
attendee@wowgao.com