Jetsons technology

OK, so maybe we're not zooming around in flying cars or being served by talking robots like The Jetsons promised us.

But I'm doing some work for a company that, in certain ways, resembles the futurist vision of Spacely Sprockets. Everyone at this company is given laptops and the whole place is awash with wireless internet access. There's a casual dress environment, a flexible workday, even an indoor basketball court. And yet I see people dressing appropriately and working longer and harder than they "have to."

Working there has served as a great reminder to me that technology is not the end goal. The Jetsons used technologies - not just because they were cool or trendy - but because they made their lives better. Technology can be a great tool, but for it to be effective, it needs to be used correctly. Spacely Sprockets, for all it's advanced technology, wasn't a great place to work.

Finding the right blend of technology, leadership, and culture is a challenge all companies should be addressing.