Does Multi-Tasking Work? TTM Global Weighs-Up the Pros and Cons

Feb. 13, 2012 - PRLog -- For all that we boast about our ability to multi-task it seems that we might actually be slowing ourselves down. TTM Global, working in the fast-paced world of direct marketing and sales, argues out the case.

1. You’re not really multi-tasking
The study argues that though we think we’re doing several things at once, our productivity actually goes down by as much as 40 per cent. Instead of multi-tasking what we’re doing is switch-tasking, rapidly shifting from one thing to another, interrupting ourselves and losing time.

2.  It increases your stress levels
After reading the research TTM Global learnt that multi-tasking leads to a phenomenon called ‘cognitive overload’. Your brain expends extra energy doing multiple things at once which leads your stress levels to rise making you less productive during and after the task.

3. People feel you’re focusing on them less.
“At TTM Global a key part of our business is interacting with customers and clients. It’s important that they feel they have 100% of our attention,” said a consultant at the company. It seems that when people multi-task, those around them feel they are getting less attention. You’re better off finishing what you’re doing and then devoting all of your attention to the person that you’re dealing with.

So we’ve heard the negatives, but what about the positives?  TTM Global notes that people have been singing the praises of multi-tasking for so long that there must be some advantages to it.

1. People aren’t held up waiting for you
If you can’t answer an email because you’ve shut down your computer to work on a report, people may not be able to get on with their jobs because they haven’t had a response from you. TTM Global suggests that if you have something really pressing that requires your full attention have someone else keep an eye on your emails in case one needs an urgent response.

2. You have something else to turn to when you get stuck.
We all know that when you get stuck on a problem it’s often best to leave it alone and come back to it. If you don’t allow yourself to do other things in between, you could waste time sitting there thinking over a problem that you’re not going to find a solution to quickly.

3. The more senior you are the more important it is.
This is a topic close to the heart of managing director of TTM Global, Tony Roberts. “There are some days when I have so many things that simply have to be done. If I stopped myself from doing a couple of things at once, I’d never get it all completed.”

TTM Global’s evaluation? Mr Roberts said, “It’s a tough one, there are arguments for both cases clearly! I think a little bit of common sense is essential. When something really deserves your full attention make sure you give it. That said there is no harm in firing off a few quick emails in between writing that long report.”

# # #

TTM Global Limited specializes in outsourced direct sales and brand awareness. Practicing professionalism while generating new customers daily and allowing Clients a guarantee return on their investment has made us a leader in the marketing field.