Comments on: ‘Wasting’ time looking for information http://maadmob.net/donna/blog/2004/wasting-time-looking-for-information Information architecture, interaction design and much more Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:36:22 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Abhay S. Kushwaha http://maadmob.net/donna/blog/2004/wasting-time-looking-for-information/comment-page-1#comment-348 Abhay S. Kushwaha Thu, 02 Sep 2004 16:22:13 +0000 http://maadmob.net.s32465.gridserver.com/donna/blog/2004/wasting-time-looking-for-information#comment-348 Though the point you make is accurate, it is not relevant to the quote. When a manager is working for a company, their tasks should add value to that company. By searching for information, they aim to do just that. By spending more time on searching for the information that will let them do it, they're reducing the value of their work. Very roughly: Manager A performs a task worth $1000 in 2 hour. Manager B performs a task worth $1000 in 4 hours. Very easy to see which manager added more value. This is true to all employees actually but in case of managers, perhaps it's more important since they're paid much higher, are more responsible for other people and perform bigger, more valuable work. In our example, Manager A has a 2-hour advantage over Manager B and could perhaps add another $1000 in the next 2 hours. Agreed each search is a journey and you're learning something new in that journey. But that something probably has nothing to do with your job or task at hand. It is improving *your* value perhaps not your company's, and in a way, the company has a right to be upset that you're increasing *your* value at company's expense. Maybe the new knowledge you have gained will help the company later. Then again, maybe it won't. So from company's standpoint, you're wasting time--time that could be done something else that will add to company's value. Lines are fine indeed. But they exist. Though the point you make is accurate, it is not relevant to the quote. When a manager is working for a company, their tasks should add value to that company. By searching for information, they aim to do just that. By spending more time on searching for the information that will let them do it, they’re reducing the value of their work.

Very roughly:
Manager A performs a task worth $1000 in 2 hour.
Manager B performs a task worth $1000 in 4 hours.

Very easy to see which manager added more value. This is true to all employees actually but in case of managers, perhaps it’s more important since they’re paid much higher, are more responsible for other people and perform bigger, more valuable work.

In our example, Manager A has a 2-hour advantage over Manager B and could perhaps add another $1000 in the next 2 hours.

Agreed each search is a journey and you’re learning something new in that journey. But that something probably has nothing to do with your job or task at hand. It is improving *your* value perhaps not your company’s, and in a way, the company has a right to be upset that you’re increasing *your* value at company’s expense. Maybe the new knowledge you have gained will help the company later. Then again, maybe it won’t. So from company’s standpoint, you’re wasting time–time that could be done something else that will add to company’s value.

Lines are fine indeed. But they exist.

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