December 3, 2008
Guru received a news release this morning alerting him to the fact that 'cyber cynicism' was gripping the UK. Yours Truly almost threw it away as soon as he saw the word 'cyber' - what interest could that be to anyone?
Still, there wasn't much else going on so Guru thought he would have a look through it.
Basically it turned out to be a load of stats from some body called the Chartered Management Institute, claiming to show that employers' failure to allow widespread use of technology would hinder UK businesses.
Based on "qualitative and quantitative research of almost 1,000 managers aged 35 and under" - otherwise known as a lot of phonecalls, Guru presumes - the data "revealed" that employers viewed internet activity as a 'massive timewaster'.
Nearly two-thirds of employers monitor employee internet access, and the same proportion block 'inappropriate' websites, according to the research. Meanwhile, 18% impose curfews on internet usage.
This high level of policing came against a backdrop of enthusiasm for the internet from employees. Asked why they wanted to use the internet, seven in 10 managers said 'for professional development', while 59% claimed it was 'useful for research'. Presumably 'Facebook', 'checking out house prices' and 'looking for breasts' were not among the options.
Jo Causon, director of marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, proved just how down she was with the kids with this astonishingly futuristic view.
"Younger managers are growing up with much greater familiarity of technology and are comfortable using technologies such as mobile video, TV on-demand, or information services such as Google and Wikipedia," she said.
I think you've been watching too much Back to the Future there, Jo. Kids able to use Google? Next you'll be telling us they prefer texting to carrier pidgeons.
So there you have it disciples. It's nearly 2009 and time to embrace this thing they call the 'internet'. Guru reckons it will never last.
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