This is what I like to call a win-win. First, a recent study found that workers who trade instant messages with their bosses are more productive than those who don’t. Second, it’s proof positive that Dave lost yet another debate.
In case you missed that one, Dave argued that instant messaging was disruptive and a productivity-killer. But check out the research from no less than MIT and IBM:
The researchers analyzed the e-mail traffic, buddy lists, social networking friends, and everything in between of 2,600 anonymized IBM consultants over 12 months in order to draw their conclusions. They then compared their communication patters against their performance in billable hours. Those who maintained constant communications averaged an increase in revenue of $588 per month over the average, while those who did not produced $98 per month less than the average.
Now, in Dave’s defense, it’s not IM technology that he dislikes — it’s the fact that it interrupts his delicate workflow. And indeed, if you don’t multitask well, then IM can be an annoying interruption.
But I stand by my original example of a worker needing to get a quick answer from a boss: IM is much less of an intrusion than a phone call or visit. And it’s more immediate than e-mail. Boss types are accustomed to (and tolerant of, if they’re any good) nonstop interruptions.
So fire up that IM client, boys and girls — or, better yet, use Meebo, the free browser-based chat service that works across all IM platforms. Then check the comments for Dave’s half-hearted attempts to support his weak, weak position.
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