Mute Button - Technology

Although the "mute button" caught my eye, I realized that when I was talking about grammar & usage check software (a long time ago) that flagged run-on sentences, my listeners thought I needed it on my audio speech -- one that would yell "babble alert! babble alert! at me - I probably should shorten my messages, eventually, or perhaps not.

   

Tech Dinosaurs: Tape Recorders and Fax Machines Top the List

By Nicole Williams

LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network with more than 175 million members worldwide, has just released some fun statistics about office tools and trends that are on the brink of becoming extinct.

As part of its "Office Endangered Species" study, LinkedIn surveyed more than 7,000 professionals across the globe and asked which tools and trends will most likely not be seen around offices by the year 2017. Thousands of professionals agreed they could easily picture office stalwarts like tape recorders, fax machines, and Rolodexes nestled in museum exhibits next to fossils and Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons.

According to professionals, the top ten items and office trends that are becoming rare and could even disappear in the next five years are:

1.        Tape recorders (79 percent)

2.        Fax machines (71 percent)

3.        Rolodexes (58 percent)

4.        Standard working hours (57 percent)

5.        Desk phones (35 percent)

6.        Desktop computers (34 percent)

7.        Formal business attire - suits, ties, pantyhose, etc. (27 percent)

8.        Corner offices for managers/executives (21 percent)

9.        Cubicles (19 percent)

10.     USB thumb drives (17 percent)

Globally, professionals selected tablets (55 percent), Cloud storage (54 percent), flexible working hours, and smart phones (which tied at 52 percent) as office tools that are becoming more ubiquitous. 

It's no surprise to see the Rolodex gathering dust as the pace of technological innovation rapidly makes many workplace practices and tools redundant. The beauty of modern devices and platforms, such as LinkedIn, is that they constantly evolve to meet professionals' needs, allowing them to connect more quickly and easily than ever before.

Professionals from around the world also hinted at several key dream tools they'd like to see in the future. These include having a clone or assistant to help them (25 percent), a place in the office that provides natural sunlight (25 percent), and a quiet place in their office where they're allowed to take a nap (22 percent). In a funny twist, 19 percent of respondents said they wish they had a mute button for their coworkers so they don't have to hear them talk.

Learn more about LinkedIn's office endangered species study and download the Cubicle Dinosaurs Infographic on LinkedIn's Blog.

Thanks to my sister Anne Hullinger for contributing the above.