Helping one’s bar code-haired boss
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japan.internet.com, in conjuction with JR Tokai Express Research, looked into how workers helped out their bosses with computer-related tasks. There is the promise of them reporting later on how bosses view their subordinates’ use of computers, which I eagerly await! They interviewed 330 people in non-management positions in private companies, 79.1% male. 17.6% were in their twenties, 48.8% in their thirties, and 33.6% in their forties.
Rather than the typical Dilbert image of the Pointy-Haired Boss (hmm, I can’t find that cartoon strip on the internet!), I’ve chosen the Japanese equivalent for the title, the Bar Code-Haired Boss. The boss here refers, I believe, to anyone in management that is above the respondent in the office hierarchy, rather than just the direct boss.
I don’t have much direct contact with management, but do I see a lot of the effects of a lack of skill. My biggest gripe is the inappropriate use of tools; Excel seems the tool of choice for memos, diagramming, etc; and PowerPoint rather than Word for specifications and other technical documentation.
In the sample, just one single person said they couldn’t operate a PC themselves, but that begs the question of how did they complete the survey in the first place!
Q1: Have you had to do any of the following for your boss? (Sample size=330, multiple answer)
Votes Percentage Wrote a Word document for the boss 178 53.9% Searched the internet or intranet for information for the boss 165 50.0% Prepared a PowerPoint presentation for the boss 164 49.7% Read or wrote mail for the boss 82 24.8% Filled in an Excel spreadsheet for the boss 74 22.4% Entered data into Groupware for the boss 58 17.6% Never been asked by the boss 93 28.2% Other 7 2.1% Note that it appears the question refers to requests to do something that the boss should do but can’t due to a lack of computer skill, rather than refering to the act of delegation – ahh, delegation, that’s another issue I could wax lyrically on about!
Q2: Does your boss ask you how to operate his or her PC? (Sample size=330)
Yes, almost every day 15.2% Yes, sometimes 44.8% No, hardly ever 24.5% No, never 15.5% Q3: Which of the following PC tasks has your boss asked you about? (Sample size=330, multiple answer)
Votes Percentage How to use Word or Excel 129 39.1% How to prepare PowerPoint or a PDF 107 32.4% How to connect to the internet or intranet 84 25.5% How to use mail client 66 20.0% How to use browser 60 18.2% How to switch on PC or use mouse 37 11.2% Never been asked 69 20.9% Other 29 8.8%
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