Video Cases

This case and its discussion questions are based on a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation video that accompanies the textbook. In addition to whatever in-class use your instructor may have given the video, it's available on this website for online viewing. If directed to do so by your instructor, you can also answer the discussion questions online and email the results.
     These videos are intended only for students using the 1st Canadian Edition of Business Communications. To view the video, you'll require a password. Refer to page 541 in your textbook and use the first word appearing in the main text column as both 'username' and 'password.' Use of the word is case-sensitive.
     The free RealPlayer plug-in is required in order to view the videos. If needed, the plug-in can be downloaded from Real.

Cyberslacking: Living with Email
How many emails do you get in a day? How often do you check your email? How well do you manage your email time?
     Emails give workers ample opportunity to "cyberslack" behind closed doors—to appear busy while playing on the computer or writing and responding to nonwork-related email. One web-designer in Toronto who gets about 150 emails a day says they are necessary for him to keep informed about what is going on in the field and to keep up with events. Freelancers who work their own hours may find them a welcome diversion.
     However, emails sent to workers increasingly include cartoons, jokes, lively cards, chain letters, photos, audio-clips, and video-clips. Much of the humour and many of the images are crude and border on pornography. Some include Internet links, which take more time to see. How much time do workers spend reading, or even deleting, the emails? A business-owner or freelancer may own his or her own time, but an employee may well be using time needed for other work. Important deadlines may not be met.
     While some workers may spend as little as 10-20 percent of their time on email, the norm is far beyond that. Studies conducted show that companies monitoring emails find a mere quarter of emails are work-related. How do companies react to the loss of time and productivity? As a result of cyberslacking, companies have fired workers -- often several at once. Experts recommend clear and acceptable policies in the workplace so workers know their limits just as they know their limits with the phone. Workers need to know the consequences of their actions ahead of time. Clear guidelines are necessary, particularly if a worker is fired. In fact, recent surveys show that 25 percent of American businesses are monitored for employees' use of email.
     Some employers think email, even with its distractions, is great. Others see it as a waste of time. How do you use your time with email? Unless you watch your use of email, the volume of it will control you. How does your own work ethic guide you?

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View Cyberslacking: Living with Email

1		Companies worry about company image. How do you see email affecting a company's image?
2		What are the advantages, if any, to email not directly linked to your work?
3		How can you stop the flow of unsolicited mail?
4		Cyberslacking can soon become a time-management problem. How can cyberslacking "cost" your business money?