“Teleworking is moving from the fringe to the mainstream; it’s slow but gathering increase has the look of an exponential curve. However, future applications will be far more sophisticated. One is thinking of holographic conferencing; the rise of virtual organisations; and the development of linked telecommunities working for clients globally across time zones.”
Francis Kinsman, Futurist & Author of “The Telecommuters” and "Millennium".
To speak at Telework UK ‘95, on 15 November: “The Latest Trends in Flexible Work” - The social impact of telework; Why organisations are working flexibly; Where flexible working is leading and how the future will look.
“When the automobile was invented, people said, Why do we need them? - We have horse and carriage. When the telephone was invented, people said, Why do we need it? - We have messengers. The same could be said about teleworking: Why do we need it? - We have all these office buildings, roadways and so on. Well, the fact is that just as the auto and the telephone caused major, and often unforeseeable changes in every aspect of our lives, telework is likely to have the same effect. This doesn’t mean everyone will be working at home in their blue jeans, of course. We’ll still have offices and office buildings, but we’ll most definitely use them differently.»
“Our entire way of work life has been built around the notion of going TO the office. That’s now an option, not a necessity. It means we can now get more balance into our lives and stop compartmentalising our days into “work” and “non-work” periods that correspond to our commuting patterns. This is likely to help strengthen our families, among other benefits. And if we can do something about the horrendous traffic problems we face in just about every city around the world, we can stop spending so much money on transport systems that never can adequately meet the demand. In short, we’re now facing the luxury of having this option called teleworking and we’ll see it change how and where we work, and improve the quality of our lives as well.”
Gil Gordon, US Telework Expert
To speak at Telework UK ‘95, on 14 November: “The Telework Success Story” - How people are using technology to flex their working patterns; The benefits to individuals, business and society; Trends being set in the USA.
"Teleworking means going electronic; getting on line anytime, anyplace, eradicating paper, reducing management layers and working smarter. It also means overcoming technological and people barriers, developing new protocols and practices.
To change my organisation I promised my people that I would destroy all paper from them entering my office, but I would always respond to electronic communication within 12 hours - this to be a 24 hour, 365 day per year commitment. On average 35% of all my business is now concluded within an hour, 50% in 3.5 hours and 98% in 12 hours. The 2% failure is down to equipment and software failures - and long international flights.
“My entire BT department teleworks. Our paper base has been almost totally eradicated."
"If you’re not on line you don’t exist."
"Teleworking means being available and on line anywhere, anytime. If you have a secretary between you and the keyboard you are not using IT - and you are certainly not a teleworker. My office is wherever I happen to be."
"Teleworking means using all the technology available - laptop, telephone, fax, video conferencing and telepresence. It is all about doing and achieving much more in a shorter time with fewer resources - being more effective. It allows you to use your ëdown time and spend more time with people."
"Any manager or board member who is not IT literate has to be worried. It is as disabling as not being able to read and write!"
Professor Peter Cochrane, Head of Research, British Telecom.
To speak at Telework UK ‘95, on 14 November: “Where is the Technology Going?” - The new uses for IT and telecomms; The impact of technology on our lives.
"The growth of teleworking will be one of the most far-reaching impacts of the new communications technologies. The economy could be boosted by a swathe of high technology cottage industries, supporting thousands of new jobs. For large companies, teleworking can improve efficiency and motivation for valuable staff. There are obvious advantages for people wanting flexible work - those looking after children, for example - and people in rural areas with difficult transport connections. But there are dangers too. Homeworking has been riddled with examples of exploitation, and care will be needed to prevent these being repeated among the teleworkers."
Stephen Timms, Labour MP, Newham North East
To speak at Telework UK ‘95, on 16 November: - “The Implications of Telework for Planning Policies - Urban development, environmental consequences and transport strategy.”
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European Telework Week 95 Home Page
Events in the United Kingdom, including Scotland, and Wales