Darn Data Overload
There's plenty of times where I'm overwhelmed. The phone is ringing off the hook, my inbox is flooded and I'm behind in all my writing assignments.
Based on a new survey, I now believe that the top bosses -- CEOs in particular --have it far worse. Kelton research interviewed over 500 C-level types. The report finds that big bosses waste time dealing with data that has no real relevance to their decision making. And over half of these execs admit to feeling overwhelmed by all the information staffers collect and present.
Like most of us mere mortals, CEOs also complain of a deluge of Word docs, e-mail messages, PowerPoint presentations and so on.
We've actually made some strides, but I'm not sure they are really paying off. Data mining and warehousing and executive dashboards are all meant to sift the wheat from the chaff. Apparently, none are working as well as execs would like.
The survey leads to an interesting question: If these folks are that busy, why did they take the time to take the survey?
Are you besieged by e-mail, spreadsheets, meetings, databases and all the rest? How do you cope? Your best advice welcome at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 11/15/2010 at 1:18 PM