Productivity in IT Strongly Linked to Good Management

IT Job Board Survey on Productivity and Procrastination Demonstrates the Need for Sound Management

LONDON, September 29, 2010 - The latest survey[1] from the IT Job Board,
www.theitjobboard.co.uk, has examined what makes individuals more
productive, and shown a clear link between good management and productivity
in IT workers.

Responses indicated that the biggest negative factor on productivity is
lack of clarity in instructions for the task in hand (65.8%), whilst the
biggest single motivator for productivity is "satisfaction of finishing a
project and knowing I've done a good job" (85.6%).

Earning respect from colleagues and money are also significant
motivators, which point to the need for managers to create a culture of
praise and reward for good work.

Nearly two thirds of respondents said they could remain productive for
over an hour and a half without a break. However, health and safety
recommendations mean that workers should take a 10-minute break away from the
screen, for every hour spent in front of it - for the sake of their eyes and
to avoid Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

"Given that 84% of respondents acknowledge that taking a break regularly
does make them more productive, it would seem good practise for management to
encourage this," said Alex Farrell, managing director of The IT Job Board.
"However, responses also made clear the value of choice over break time."

    Other areas that enhance IT workers' productivity include:

    - 60% said being able to see progress by ticking off tasks helped them
      become more productive
    - 60.4% said that working on their own increased their productivity
    - 58.6% noted that they were more effective in the morning

Switching between tasks and allocating time slots to certain assignments
were also noted as having a positive effect.

Interruptions from colleagues (48.6%) and noisy offices (51.4%) have a
negative effect on productivity - this is again something that managers can
influence. And whilst some IT workers admit to having been distracted by
games on their phone, online banking and online shopping, news websites are,
surprisingly, a far bigger lure for procrastinators.

In the comments made, it was clear that many people are extending their
productivity by prolonging their day, either by working overtime, working
from home, or starting early, something managers should be aware of to avoid
'burn out'.

"As an individual you need to have a tight grip on the priorities of the
business," added Farrell. "Communication with direct management is key. IT
professionals should set a work schedule in advance, agreed with their direct
manager. Setting expectations up front will ensure that the goalposts don't
move and that you can remain focussed and effective."

Notes to editors:

About The IT Job Board: The IT Job Board group of companies was set up in
April 2002 in recognition that recruitment in the IT sector was increasingly
dominated by the internet.

Today, The IT Job Board (www.theitjobboard.co.uk) is the UK's
biggest IT specialist recruitment website with over 12,800 vacancies
advertised (as at September 2010). The site aims to bridge the gap between
clients looking to fill IT roles, and candidates seeking permanent or
contract work.

Online technology enables sophisticated targeting - for example by skill,
region or experience - of The IT Job Board's database of 800,000 IT
professionals. The company always tries to get closer to candidates either
via planned content campaigns, or through the use of social networks.

The site also offers employers services such as branded job postings, a
featured employer zone, targeted email campaigns and guidance on advertising
copy. The managed campaign service filters responses to provide companies
with a shortlist of applicants most suitable for the advertised position.

www.theitjobboard.co.uk's clients include: Bloomberg, Capgemini,
Accenture and Barclays Corporate.

    For further information, interviews and photography please contact:
    Katrina Suppiah/Claire Thompson
    Publicite Ltd
    T: +44(0)20-8543-6582
    E: k.suppiah@publicite.co.uk; c.thompson@publicite.co.uk

    ---------------------------------

    [1] Productivity and Procrastination, September 2010 - 111 respondents.

For further information, interviews and photography please contact: Katrina Suppiah/Claire Thompson, Publicite Ltd, T: +44(0)20-8543-6582, E: k.suppiah at publicite.co.uk; c.thompson at publicite.co.uk