Tape recorder, standard working hours and desktop computers, are the top three office tools which may be extinct in the next five years, says a survey by the job-netwroking website LinkedIn.
According to the survey, professionals in India believe flexible working hours are most likely to be common in the workplace five years from now (60%).
Other office tools targeted for extinction among professionals in India are the tape recorder (73%) and desktop computers (58%).
LinkedIn, a professional network with over 175 million members worldwide and 16 million in India, today released some fun statistics about office tools and trends that are on the brink of extinction.
As part of its “Office Endangered Species” study, LinkedIn surveyed 7,000 professionals globally, of which nearly 400 were from India and asked them which office tools and trends will most likely not be seen around office by the year 2017.
"Thousands of professionals agreed they could easily picture office stalwarts like tape recorders, fax machines and Rolodexes nestled in museum exhibits next to fossils and Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons," said the survey.
Professionals in India believe flexible working hours are most likely to be common in the workplace five years from now (59%).The number-one office dream tool for Indians is a place in the office that provides natural sunlight (36%) followed by a quiet place in the office where they are allowed to take a nap (25%).
Hari V. Krishnan, Country Manager, LinkedIn India said, “The findings of this survey establish that the average Indian workplace is evolving. With tools like tablet computers, video conferencing, smart phones, etc. being featured on the list of must-haves, Indian companies and professionals are increasingly turning towards technology to assist their career growth."
Globally, professionals selected tablets (55%), cloud storage (54%), flexible working hours and smartphones (which tied at 52%) as office tools that are becoming more ubiquitous. Professionals in the U.S. selected tablets (62%) as the office tool that is ruling the Earth.
“It’s no surprise to see the Rolodex gathering dust as the pace of technological innovation rapidly makes many workplace practices and tools redundant,” said LinkedIn’s connection director, Nicole Williams.
“The beauty of modern devices and platforms, such as LinkedIn, is that they constantly evolve to meet professionals’ needs, allowing them to connect more quickly and easily than ever before.”
Professionals from around the world also hinted at several key dream tools they’d like to see in the future. These include having a clone or assistant to help you in your day (25%), a place in the office that provides natural sunlight (25%) and a quiet place in your office where you’re allowed to take a nap (22%).
In a funny twist, 19% of respondents said they wish they had a mute button for their co-workers, so they don’t have to hear them talk.
The top 10 items and office trends that may become extinct in the next five years are:
1) Tape recorders (79%)
2) Fax machines (71%)
3) The Rolodex (58%)
4) Standard working hours (57%)
5) Desk phones (35%)
6) Desktop computers (34%)
7) Formal business attire like suits, ties, pantyhose, etc. (27%)
8) The corner office for managers/executives (21%)
9) Cubicles (19%)
10) USB thumb drives (17%)