Corporate Sales Guy

A good friend of mine asked me to write about a dumb thing that happens in his office frequently. Let me paint a picture:

Imagine: Conference call involving 2 colleagues on the same floor.

Each speaking to the same client (same conference call) but each has a difference role.

Both are sitting within 30 feet of each other yelling into their speakerphones at their individual desks.

Folks around them get quite annoyed. Why do this when the company provides numerous conference rooms with Polycom speaker phones?

I really feel that between email and phones that we’ve lost the point of collaboration. If I saw this happening in my (imaginary) company I’d either get folks to collaborate face to face when possible. Otherwise I’d sell the building or kill the lease on the place and let everyone work virtual office since that’s what’s happening anyhow but with all the overhead of a facility.

What are your thoughts on this? Does this happen to you? Does your Netcom GN headset with 2 earphones shield you from the noise?

-CSG