To Blackberry or Not to Blackberry - The Results are In
In March 2007 I gave it up - cold turkey - I talked about it for a long time and weighed the pros and cons and then one day it just happened - I walked in and cancelled my blackberry - fortunately this time the Blackberry expert who showed me all the wonderful features the last time I tried to break free wasn't in the store and I successfully completed my mission.
It caused me to start thinking about what other people were doing and so I asked my readers of the 24 Carrot Learning newsletter what they thought - and here's what they said!
34.8% personally chose to have a blackberry (BB)
4.4 % said their employer gave them one to use for work
4.4% chose to turn their BB in for a phone
56.5% have never had a BB
As to when they turned it on, if they had one...
40% said it is ALWAYS on
10% said that as soon as they get out of bed in the morning they check their messages on the way to the bathroom
20% said they turn it on when they are commuting to the office
30% indicated that they used it on their own schedule
And, further, they answered that having a blackberry:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Strongly Disagree
Not Sure
Enables them to have more work/life balance
25%
37.5%
12.5%
25%
Causes their family to complain
12.5%
12.5%
62.5%
12.5%
Distracts them in meetings and other work situations.
0%
37.5%
62.5%
0%
Is their lifeline to the office.
37.5%
50%
12.5%
0%
Is getting out of control
22.2%
0%
66.7%
11.1%
60.9% of our respondents were employed, 34.8% self-employed and 4.4% retired.
Thanks to everyone who responded - some of the comments included:
We have found that people who are continuously connected to blackberries are missing precious time spent 'in the moment'. Why be busy on your blackberry while at your child's sporting event, on a walk or having coffee with a friend? There is a time and place for everything...
The blackberry is a convenient tool for me. I make use of free moments (waiting for an appointment) to handle rountine email. This way I can focus on the big items when I am back in the office. The internet access is handy.
Would love to hear your thoughts...email me at carolyne@24carrotlearning.com!
