"The number of wireless LAN (WLAN) hot spots worldwide will more than double by 2005. But the services are unlikely to reach "critical mass" until three to five years from now, according to a Gartner analyst."

As reported in Hot Spots Getting Hotter - But ease of use is still a cool issue by Stephen Lawson (Darwin, July 23, 2003). Hot spots, locations where Internet access is available to users of notebook PCs and other devices equipped with 802.11 technology, will be so pervasive by then that users will be billed on a monthly basis rather than the per-session payment scheme that prevails today. Until then wireless hot-spot providers shouldn't expect to make a profit, but rather use it an enticement to bring in customers. Once in the door, they then realize a profit through their core business. Examples:

"A majority of the hot spots worldwide this year, a total of 50,287, will be in retail outlets, such as coffee shops, restaurants and gas stations, Gartner estimated. In 2005, retail still will lead the pack. Other popular places for hot spots include airports, hotels, train stations and the public areas of enterprise facilities, Gartner reported. Some communities, such as Long Beach, Calif. and Athens, Ga., also have set up hot spots to cover whole city districts. "

 (gas stations?)

3:52:55 PM    
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I've been too busy to blog recently, but this article compels me: The Birth of the Selfless Manager - And the death of extreme ambition. BY CHUCK MARTIN, (Darwin Magazine, July 2003).

While the article isn't about telework, one of the greatest challenges to telework adoption has historically been the reluctance of management to support it. This article investigates a major shift in attitude among managers that will have a great impact on telework. First let's review a few points made in the article:

The results of a survey conducted by NFI Research of senior executives and managers in more than 1,000 companies worldwide are telling. Over the last two years, those rating themselves as extremely ambitious in their professional lives has dropped from nearly 70% to 40%. That's huge! Other findings of the survey support this dramatic change.

"This is a fundamental shift in attitude, which could have a profound effect on business as people begin to balance their lives more holistically, bringing a different perspective to the workplace."

Some factors contributing to the shift include 9/11, a struggling economy, a flatter organizational structure, and an increasing focus on family life, all contributing to a desire for greater work/life balance. While this immediately comes across as good for the individual at the expense of business, Darwin predicts that a new focus on efficiency and results will spell good news for the organization as well.

"The irony is that a dramatic decrease in work ambition can actually improve business. Executives and managers who better balance their work-family life will bring to their job a healthier and broader perspective."

...

"These people will rise steadily and consistently through the ranks, helping others along the way, repeatedly doing what feels right for the business in the most efficient manner. Promotions will be only natural, though never sought after. Welcome to the age of the selfless manager, where the mantra will be: "It's about them, it's not about me." "

One of the benefits most frequently cited by teleworkers is an increased work/life balance (see The Status of Telework in the Federal Government on the OPM/GSA Telework site), thus we anticipate more executives and managers will consider the option to telework.

Picture yourself as this executive in a comfortable home office, two or more days a week. In the early hours you're working on briefing charts instead of driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic to reach the office. Later you're using real-time desktop video to meet virtually with collegues rather than flying to various remote worksites. Picture yourself at the end of the day playing with your kids or enjoy your favorite hobby instead of commuting back home. Now picture one of your employees asking you if they can work from home. Betcha you'll say "yes".

8:55:48 AM    
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