Productivity in the Workplace and Smartphones.

“If your leaning you should be cleaning!”

As a person with many years of business acumen, I could not help but notice the trend of smartphones in use in just about any workplace.

From the film about the infamous Roy Crock we heard the phrase, “if your leaning you should be cleaning.” This phrase came back to me today as I ate my lunch at some quaint little restaurant on the square in McKinney Texas.

This place is a new place that is also a bakery.  One woman in the back was always on the move decorating cakes and cookies.  I watched her for a bit as I ate and she never took a break for even a drink.  The manager or possibly her husband/owner went back to speak with her, and she never stopped working while they talked.  I think it was business related as the look on his face was one of concern and not one of lighthearted banter.

Now, let’s talk about the waiters and waitresses. The young lady behind the counter responsible for drinks also never stopped working.  The two on the floor were attentive enough but, were always on their phones.  Was there cleaning that they could have been doing?

If they are on their phones texting or who knows what, their eyes are not on the customers or possibly assisting someone else.

You can always tell the people who have something to lose vs. the hired help.  It is much easier today with the smartphone.

In office buildings, I see workers with phones in their hands or on their desk.  Often they are in their hands.

I cannot help but wonder if the addiction to these devices is more detrimental than we realize.

Just last week I was on a short road trip to a customer’s place where an 18 wheeler driver was all over the road.  Backing off there were several times that he came within inches of clipping guard rails.  The driver was out of his lane more than he was in it.

Someone honked at him as he jerked it back into his lane.  Within moments he was back to doing what I call the dance.  It would be interesting to know how many people have died playing with smartphones while driving.

I finally passed him, and he did not even look up as he was focused on his phone.

From Texting to Social media to looking for the elusive Pokémon creature, smartphones are not smart.

Mine is set to not bother me while I am driving.  If someone texts me, they are alerted to the fact that I am driving and I will not get their text until I stop.  I would encourage everyone who drives and has a phone to set it like that.

My calls funnel through the car system via blue tooth which is just fine.

There are many inexpensive devices to use your blue tooth enabled phone to go through your car stereo.  If your car is not equipped with it now, a method via a cheap device which plugs into your lighter adapter is available for just a few dollars.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that most of the customers were also on their phones and tablets even when they were sitting with others at the same table.

“Hello, I am here!”

Our social skills in this world are de-evolving I think.  Practice loving one another, and that starts by listening to them and not reading some mindless chatter on social media and hitting like.

On the book front, I am wrapping up book two of Nudists in Shangri-La.  I am excited about the story.  I have managed to take a titillating story and put some meat into it so not only will you be entertained but, there is an actual plot that makes all sorts of sense.

If the interests are there, I could write a third in the series.  I want you all after you read it, to tell me.

Visit me at WWW.AuthorTWScott.com  go to the contact page and say hello.

As far as these blogs, I appreciate the follows and comments.  If you like the blog, I think you can press it or republish it on your site.  I believe….

You followers of my blog and Twitter accounts get the first bit of news of what is going on.  When I run a sale on something, you folks are the only people that know about it. That is my way of thanking you for following me.

As an aside let me tell you about the place I ate.
The food was good. The presentation was good. The price was reasonable. For a shop on the square, it is what I expected. Had the staff not been always on their phone, I probably would not have noticed it. I see this everywhere I go but, when you are dealing with the public, perception is everything.

If I had a nit it would be this. I ordered a Dr. Pepper and I heard her open the can behind the counter. She poured half of it into a water glass full of ice.

As a rule, I don’t drink beverages out of cans. When I buy them at the store, I find them in bottles or I don’t drink them. I prefer glass bottles over plastic, but plastic over aluminum.

Having said that, my drink was empty and she did not offer to re-fill it. I paid a high price for a half can of soda. That is a nit… If I go back I will stick with water.

I hope the week is good for you!  I look forward to getting this next book released to you soon.

Much Love!  -TW