Alumni News/Summer 2008
Kimberly Thigpen ('05) “I see an increase in technology and more people using laptops, which provide them with flexibility to work anywhere at any time as long as there is technology to tap into the company’s network. This can both improve and hinder a person’s personal time because it can give … the flexibility to work from home; however, by working from home, colleagues will feel that you should always be available, even after work hours. In addition, by not being in the office, there is a chance that you may not be viewed as a ‘high potential’ employee.” Thigpen is an IT manager at Honeywell.
Ken Chardos ('96) “With anything, I think that personal choice will ultimately decide how that work-life balance is impacted by electronic communications. There is an easy trap to fall into around these channels, especially if your colleagues and superiors are all heavy users of technology outside of work hours. It is important to set precedents early and make it clear how and when you personally choose to use electronic communications.” chardos is a manager with Hitachi Consulting. Sergio L. San Pedro (MBA '82, ND '78) “I think that if we are not careful, we may lose our leisure and private time. It is important for the executive to set limits and boundaries and to maintain them as much as possible. While emergencies will occur and will need to be handled, it is up to each executive to make sure that his/her personal space is respected and that some private and restful time is allowed to maintain a balance. Everything in moderation.” San Pedro is the vice president of commercial banking at Colonial Savings, F. A., Fort Worth. Cord Campbell (MBA '05) “I think most Americans will ultimately devote more time to work as electronic communication improves. However, one would expect this work to be more efficient, whether it is due to high performance communication devices, or the diminishing need to be physically present. Reduced time in the office and in transit could simultaneously increase the quality of life for most Americans despite more time being devoted to their occupations.” Campbell is a senior analyst with General Electric, Corporate Treasury. Jake Frego (MBA '87) “Unfortunately, electronic communication devices—mainly e-mail—have taken the place of good, solid verbal communication. This is the case in our professional and personal lives. I have observed deterioration in communication skills over the years, both written and verbal. Written, because a lot of people use shorthand to communicate via e-mail. Verbal, because many people now prefer to text or e-mail instead of speaking on the phone or having face-to-face conversations.” Frego is a senior vice president at Bank of America.
“Good question. You have to learn to balance, but the reality is many clients expect you to be accessible at all times given the new technology. If you can’t accept that reality, I assume your stress level will increase.” Ryan is cofounder and chief operating officer of the law firm LeClairRyan with offices throughout Virginia and in Washington, D.C., Newark, New York City and Boston. Don Skloss ('84) “I think the better technology gets, the more time I will be able to spend with my family. The technology makes me more productive, which allows me to get more done, or get it done faster.” Skloss is division manager for Reser's Fine Foods Inc. and lives in West Linn, Ore. with his wife of 15 years, Karin, and their two daughters, Sophie and Samantha.
Cindy Smetana ('82) “Electronic communication has helped to provide balance between work and personal time. I have two teenagers who do not yet drive, so I can be at home to get them from their respective activities, while still maintaining the ability to stay connected with work.” Jack Fannon (’84) “Success in the business world has become more predicated on your sacrifice of personal time, or your ability to combine work and personal time by making yourself available more often than was expected in the past. You may be able to take a stand and say, ‘I’m not going to be available for 16 hours of the day,’ but there are plenty of others out there who will be, if you are not. The business world is no longer 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. This may be a good thing as far as productivity and services are concerned, but not such a good thing as far as it relates to the human condition.’ Fannon is vice-president of T.J. Fannon & Sons Inc.—a fuel oil distribution, heating and air conditioning company based in Alexandria, Va. The company’s president, Thomas J. Fannon, is also a Notre Dame graduate, class of 1952.
Kelly Bradley Ramirez (EMBA '06) “As leaders, we need to be able to manage our own day (not let our day manage us). To the extent that we are able to accomplish that, we will be able to continue to benefit from it.” Ramirez is the director of New Product Development, Insurance and Customer Strategy for Discover Card.
Eric L. Enloe ('98) “It will continue to blur (the line between work and personal time). I actually get a little uncomfortable if I am in a place where I can’t receive e-mail. Additionally, I only stay in hotels that have high-speed Internet. I won’t stay at one that doesn’t have it, in the U.S. or not.” Enloe is associate managing director of Integra Realty Resources, Chicago. Matthew Dolan ('88) “As a professional, electronic communications had eliminated any ‘think’ time. I am constantly responding to e-mails. It forces me to focus on the urgent items versus the real important issues. I do not let it affect my family time though. I have drawn a solid line in the sand. I have been provided software and hardware so that I can respond to e-mails from home but the stuff sits idle in a drawer as I refuse to connect it. I refuse to get a BlackBerry.” Dolan is a Navy JAG officer and Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) qualified officer with 20 years experience in leadership and law. He serves as a legal advisor to senior level Navy leaders and to commanders on myriad of international and domestic laws that impact the conduct of military operations.
Neil Gillespie ('76) “It will continue to infringe on personal time because there are no rules to when people can call, e-mail or reach you. Pure access has made it too easy for work associates, clients and bosses to infringe on your time. Eventually, I expect corporations to start setting guidelines on these things. In the meantime, each of us needs to set personal boundaries. It is not everyone’s right to have access to you at all times, and it is not everyone’s right to expect immediate replies to e-mails and text messages and voice mails. You need to let people know how to communicate with you if they need immediate attention. Because of the number of ways messages can come to you—landline, cell phone, test messages, e-mails, PDA e-mails and attached documents—people think they can play “tag, you’re it” or “dump and run” and expect you to jump. You need to train people that they can’t do that. I have taken the opportunity to add something to my signature on e-mails—‘If you need immediate action on something, please call me on my cell phone.’ I think PDA phones, BlackBerrys and iPhones will eventually have a automated response setting that you can click to say, ‘I am in a meeting and unavailable to respond to your calls, e-mails and text messages.’” Gillespie is a principal and founding partner of Shamrock Growth Associates LLC in Knoxville, Tenn.
John Gleason ('82) “Technology and electronic communications will continue to advance to improve and streamline communications and to aid productivity and access, as well as enhance the ability to do more with less, which is a significant and constant pressure placed on all businesses. Advertising is being pushed to our phones. University lectures are made available for our iPods. More mobility. More accessibility. By delivering communications that are easier, more reliable, more efficient, and at lower costs, the advancement of technology will also continue to expand the expectation that we are constantly available for our profession, our customers and suppliers, our colleagues, our employers and even our families. These very technologies have opened the window and the ability for our personal and professional expectations to co-mingle and infringe upon each other. The most predominant ‘infringers’ are the professional expectations that are expanding, conflicting and competing with the rest of our lives, squeezing and compressing what used to be called quality time. It is indeed ironic that the very technologies and devices that are supposed to save us time and help enhance the balance in our lives, have in fact, delivered the opposite effect, enabling accessibility which ultimately drives imbalance, impacting our own time for ourselves and our families. Yet, I just can’t help myself. As I continue to complete this survey from my Palm Treo, sitting in a car while my son drives us to a family gathering during a vacation break. Isn’t this great?” In 2007, Gleason formed a consulting and coaching practice, which is focused on two primary targets: creative agencies and the client company that engages them.
John Discepoli ('85) “On the downside, I think too many folks are too connected. However, looking forward, I like to think that electronic communication will have a more positive impact on the balance between work and personal time by allowing folks—especially the self-employed—to get away from work to spend time with their family. “The trick comes in prioritizing the personal time and setting expectations of which types of interruptions may impose on personal time. We’ve all seen the Hollywood depiction of the busy executive abusing their personal time by conducting work and missing their child’s recital. Other than a doctor or similar profession that may require immediate action, clients, co-workers and family members can respect one’s need to prioritize. Once the interested parties are informed and you deliver on your promise, you should feel comfortable balancing work and personal time.” Discepoli founded Discepoli Financial Planning in 2005, a one-person office in Cincinnati that specializes in working with Middle America on all aspects of financial life. He comments that it is the most satisfying work he has ever done. Self-employment and technology allow Discepoli and his wife to spend quality time with their very busy 13-year-old twins, Nic and Gabby.
—Peggy Bolstetter is associate editor of Notre Dame Business. |
Dennis M. Ryan ('74)
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