I bought an android phone a few months ago.  Actually it was the Nexus One from Google.  I bought it because I love technology.  And although I’m rarely an early adopter, I desperately needed a new phone.  In a world where business and life merge everywhere, I needed something more than my outdated blackberry.  So I took the plunge and went with the Nexus One.

For most of my life I’ve loved technology.  I remember walking to elementary school during the summer with my Dad to play Oregon Trail on an Apple IIgs.  I remember fondly hacking my old x386 Windows 3.1 computer.  I’ve tweaked programs, downloaded software, and written code from my XP machine (which I even built myself.)

But these days something has changed.  I’m just not interested in doing all of those things.  I still love the idea, but these days I just want things to “work.”  I’ve become one of THOSE people!  I don’t have the patience, and more importantly, time to trouble shoot all of my problems.

Frankly, I find this a little depressing.

I’ve been a PC advocate for my entire life.  I love the open nature of the platform.  The freedom to do what I want to do.  And the flexibility to have choices.  But these days I find myself actually wanting a Mac.  I like my Android phone, but I’m not thrilled at how I need to micromanage certain applications.  The design of the iPhone is so much better even if the iPhone 3GS isn’t nearly as powerful as my Nexus One.

At some point efficiency has become the rallying cry of my life.

While this conversation is about phones and computers, it can easily be applied to work.  Employee goals are changing, but companies aren’t recognizing this.  How we are motivated, how we want to work, and even how we choose to work is changing.  No longer do we want to work 9-5 in a cubicle (did we ever really?).  We want flexibility and freedom.

Apple has been successful because it’s recognized the change in the customer base.  Apple sees that people are overwhelmed by the information that comes there way, and they create designs that simplify our lives.  That’s why they are successful.  Maybe it’s time your company took that same approach.  Because if you don’t, you’re likely to lose out on the best employees.

photo provided by everystockphoto