There’s a little less conversation happening in Canada. A report issued last week by Convergence Consulting Group found that cellphone users are talking less, but texting, emailing and web surfing more. The country’s three big wireless providers—Rogers, Bell and Telus—saw a 34% increase in data revenue growth in 2011, according to the report.
But according to research by recruitment firm Randstad Canada, this trend doesn’t apply to the workforce.
Randstad’s most recent Global Workmonitor survey, which surveyed employees in 29 countries, found that workers around the world want less tech time and more face time with their colleagues.
In Canada, 68% of employees surveyed said they prefer face-to-face contact over other means of communication, such as telephone or email. And 42% said they create moments during the day when they purposely ignore the phone and email messages altogether.
“Even with easier and quicker access to information that new technologies like smartphones, social media, videoconferencing and others provide, people still value face to face interactions,” said Stacy Parker, executive vice-president of marketing with Randstad Canada.
Canadians aren’t alone. The overall global results for the preference of face-to-face communication are also in line with Canada, with 70% of all employees saying they prefer personal contact over phone or email.
“New technologies have definitely changed the way we conduct business, and plays a key role in knowledge sharing,” said Parker. “However, companies have to learn to find a good balance between virtual and face-to-face communication in order to create a workplace that is efficient, productive, inspiring and team-oriented.”