Perceptions of technology, the generation gap

I have quite a responsible job for the NHS. This job means that I travel around to various places for engagement meetings, training sessions and various other bits and bobs. Because of all the travel I do, I took the decision that I would travel light.

I know that if I take a pen and paper to these meetings, that I will invariably lose the notes that I’ve taken, or that I will forget to take the pad with me and will start another, with the result that I have a number of pads with notes across them. That, and the pad will deteriorate due to be crammed into a bag.

Having taken the decision to travel light, I decided that I would use my smartphone – Nokia E71, then iPhone 4 – as supplied by work to take notes. That way, as I’m taking the notes, I’m saving myself time later when it comes to putting those notes into minutes, briefs or other documents.

However, I just came off a phone call with one of my colleagues who stated that in two meetings, some of the people have thought that I was texting or playing games on my phone rather than actually paying attention. Despite the fact that during one of these meetings I actually read from my phone what had been previously said earlier in the meeting.

Both meetings were attended by people of more advanced ages, and I find it interesting that they haven’t made the leap from the fact that whilst phones can be used to text, they are now so much more than that. After all, we were issued with the damn things so that we could send and receive emails whilst on the road.

Also, I’m a bit surprised that they think I would sit in a meeting texting and playing games whilst some incredibly senior managers are addressing the meeting. Do they really think I’m that suicidally career-minded?

So, from now on, I will make a point of saying, “I’ll make notes on phone and email them round if you like.” just to put their minds at ease.