March 2010

Nigel Davies, 2010-03-05 17:18:50

We live in a global age. Mobile technology is truly part of our everyday lives... Blackberrys, push technology, virtual private networks (which is nothing to do with webcams of teenage czech girls) all allow us to work from where we want. You'll find a hotdesk in most offices now.

If you use a hotdesk, you're typically in a rush, either because you've got 30 minutes before your train/flight/boat/rickshaw leaves or you're a consultant, paid to get on with a job in a short space of time. So why is it that the hotdesk is usually less than luke warm?

When you can get to your "hot" desk behind the pile of empty PC cases, old screens, piles of network cables with no connectors on them, notepads, half-drank bottles of wine and dusty shoes, you're usually left wondering why you bothered. The keyboard and mouse are both on chords so short that you have to climb onto the desk to type anything in; the PC is so old and out of date that you can see the steam generator chugging just to log you in; and the screen... the screen! If it works at all, it looks like you're back in a 3D movie from the 70's. Eugh. Makes me feel sick and dizzy just thinking about it. The chair is never there, and if it is it's broken in such a way that you can't keep still, and all the people around you - who of course never say a word to you - spend the rest of the week talking about the poor guy/gal with Parkinsons. Perhaps they put those rickety chairs there on purpose to help you reach the mouse and keyboard?!

So, come on! Start thinking about how hot your hotdesks are. It's worth it in the long run. A comfy consultant is a productive consultant.