How many hours a day do you spend on email, messaging, social media and other digital communication? What about your staff? Add it up.
The answer may surprise you.
Technology can be a great asset to your business, but it can also be a distraction.
Information technology is expected to increase dramatically in usage over the next two years.
The numbers below represent the expected increase of technology usage one year and two years from now.

• Mobile 33.
  60%, 39.
  10%
• E-mail 38.
  40%, 34.
  20%
• Texting (SMS) 30.
  70%, 32.
  20%
• Social networks 26.
  50%, 26.
  20%
• Desktop video 12.
  80%, 26%
• Instant Messaging 18.
  60%, 21.
  30%
• VoIP calling 12.
  10%, 21.
  30%

Source: Skype (December 2010) At What Cost? With the steady increase the question that begs to be asked, "When is actual work getting done?" When is technology a useful tool in your business arsenal, and when is it a distraction? Growing with Technology (Without Losing Productivity) Technology for technology sake is a waste.
Determine if the technology makes sense for your particular business and for that particular employee.
Here are a few ways to evaluate and apply information technology and if it's right for your business.

1. Instant messaging and texting.
   Weigh the pros and cons.
   On average it takes someone four minutes to get back on track after being distracted (up to 15 minutes if working on a detailed project).
   For many, the distractions that instant messaging and texting create are not worth the communication value.
   
2. Social media.
   Consider blocking social media sites from employees who do not need to access them in the course of business.
   Software is available to block sites based on a user's unique login.
   
3. Policy and best practices.
   Inform employees about your policy for email, texting, social media, etc.
   If you do not know your policy, it's time to create one.
   
4. Smart phones and mobile technology.
   If your employees utilize mobile devices, spend the extra time and money to make sure that they have quick, easy and problem free access to all of the information they need.
   Consider using mobile in new ways such as accepting credit cards, obtaining customer signatures, providing proofs, etc.
   
5. Video.
   Consider utilizing web video for marketing, training or product instruction.
   A short video has a much higher comprehension rate than written text.
   Enlist the help of a talented employee.
   On the flip side, make sure your employees know your policy for watching web video on sites like YouTube.