From Chaos to Clarity
How to Thrive in the Modern Workplace
Overwhelmed at work? You’re not alone. Survey data reveals key communication challenges and opportunities in the next era of work.
Reduce unnecessary back-and-forth
Clear communication isn't just nice to have. It's critical to productivity.
50%
Find the number of meetings, emails, and messages during a typical workday makes them less productive
74%
Have to repeat themselves or clarify information at least some of the time
67%
Experience misunderstandings due to unclear communication at least some of the time
Make meetings more valuable
It's not about canceling all meetings. It's about making them count.
3 out of 5
Meetings are actually valuable or productive to most respondents
70%
Find it valuable to have decision-making meetings in real time
41%
Spend too much or not enough time in meetings
The future is async
Asynchronous formats like video messages are emerging as a welcome replacement for meetings.
98%
Of those who use video at work say it improves the effectiveness of their message
51%
Would watch a pre-recorded video instead of attending a status update meeting
26%
Of remote workers spend more than half their workweek in meetings
Reclaim your time at work
Don't let the chaos of the modern workplace hold you back. Take action now. Download this exclusive report to access all the insights and expert strategies and transform your workday.
About the author
Dr. Jane Bozarth, director of research for The Learning Guild, is a veteran classroom trainer who transitioned to eLearning in the late 1990s and never looked back. In her previous job as leader of the State of North Carolina’s award-winning eLearning program, Jane specialized in finding low-cost ways of providing online training solutions. She is the author of several books, including eLearning Solutions on a Shoestring, Social Media for Trainers, and Show Your Work: The Payoffs and How-To’s of Working Out Loud. Jane holds a master’s degree in technology-based training and a doctorate in training and development.
Methodology
To learn more about workplace communication, TechSmith surveyed 969 people in the US, the UK, France, and Germany, including both Snagit customers and non-customers. Participants were employed full-time in a work role that required digital communication and collaboration. They represented software/IT, healthcare services, retail, manufacturing, and finance and fell into four age cohorts ranging from 1946 to 2012.
The recruitment and delivery of the survey were conducted in July-August 2023 by independent research partner Qualtrics. Respondents were offered multiple-choice and open-ended questions about their preferred methods of workplace communication, the number and quality of meetings, and the use of visuals and video in their own communications. Note that due to rounding, some figures do not add up to 100%.