Tape recorders, Rolodexes, fax machines likely gone by 2017

When it comes to office tools and trends that we’re not likely to see around Canadian offices by the year 2017, tape recorders, Rolodexes and fax machines top the list, according to a LinkedIn survey.

Standard working hours are also endangered species, according to the survey of 420 professionals.

The top 10 items and office trends that could disappear in the next five years:

1. tape recorders (85 per cent)
2. Rolodexes (81 per cent)
3. fax machines (67 per cent)
4. standard working hours (59 per cent)
5. formal business attire such as suits, ties and pantyhose (32 per cent)
6. desktop computers (28 per cent)
7. desk phones (23 per cent)
8. corner offices for executives (20 per cent)
9. business cards (16 per cent)
10. USB thumb drives (16 per cent).

Globally, professionals selected tablets (55 per cent), cloud storage (54 per cent), flexible working hours and smartphones (both at 52 per cent) as office tools that are becoming more ubiquitous, found a LinkedIn survey of 7,000 people.

Professionals from around the world also hinted at several key dream tools they’d like to see in the future. These include having a clone or assistant to help you in your day (25 per cent), a place in the office that provides natural sunlight (25 per cent) and a quiet place at work to take a nap (22 per cent).

Nineteen per cent of respondents said they wish they had a mute button for their co-workers, so they don’t have to hear them talk.