New Delhi : There is growing interconnectedness around the world, in both personal and work life, as well as real and virtual interactions. This is among the key findings of a recent survey conducted by American Express and market research firm Morning Consult in eight countries across the world. The study throws up interesting insights into the changing lives of Indians when it comes to the evolving approach to work and life and how technology is both a boon and a bane.

• 32% respondents reported spending more time at work in the last two years with 38% attributing technology as the cause.
• 88% respondents claim to be successful in integrating technology into their lives, but 47% want more mobile free time.
• Tellingly, experiences (68%) override material gifts (22%) as being more meaningful when celebrating milestones and relationships.

 

Referring to the survey findings, Manoj Adlakha, CEO, American Express Banking Corp., India said, “As a global business with an India presence spanning more than 90 years, we’ve witnessed the transformation in the lives of our customers. The Live Life survey highlights the shift from work life balance to work life integration. Our respondents have shared rich insights on their changing outlook and expectations on finding balance in relationships, technology and work. Brands and service providers have a large playing field on which they can innovate and evolve to serve these emerging needs.”

 

Elaborating on how American Express supports customers’ aspirations, Manoj added, “At American Express we are focused on enabling our Card members to live fuller lives, gliding seamlessly between work and play. We leverage innovations in technology and exclusive partnerships to provide best-in-class service. This customer-centricity powers our vision to continually deliver the world’s best customer experience.”

Findings from “Live Life” survey pertain to various aspects of a blended lifestyle, including virtual and social interactions, satisfaction accorded by work, happiness derived from parenting, and the two T’s that reign supreme – Travel and Technology. The survey takes these parameters into account to showcase the patterns in demographic sub groups, such as different age-groups, men and women, and state-wise trends.

 

Parents working harder than non-parents, both at home and work!

• Non-parents are more likely than parents to be spending fewer hours at work.
• Personal time contributes more to happiness of non-parents (46%) compared to parents (39%)
• Non-parents (47%) are more likely to say that traveling is on their bucket list than parents (37%)

 

Virtual and social interactions remain important

• Virtual reactions are very important for the 30-44 age group
• More women (63%) than men (54%) consider social media important to share experiences

Work satisfaction contributes to contentment with life

• 74% of those aged 45-64 find work a meaningful part of their life compared to 53% overall
• More men (66%) than women (40%) report work to be a meaningful part of their life

 

Technology lauded as an enabler, but mobile fatigue reported across the board

• 56% women claim to be very successful in integrating technology into their life as compared to 42% men
• Women are proportionately more engaged with technology, as more men (66%) are likely to have mobile-free time than women (57%)
• In what could be alarming to some marketers, younger respondents are more likely than older respondents to want more mobile-free time

Women happier today, living more “connected” lives

• Women reported being “significantly happier” today (45% women vs. 30% men)
• More women (84%) find spending time with family and friends as meaningful, compared to men (68%)
• 40% women believe work is a meaningful part of their life, compared to 66% men
• Interesting, more number of men and women rank time spent with family and friends as meaningful, compared to their feedback on the role of work
• Shared experiences far more important to women (63%) than men (54%)

Men somewhat more materialistic than women

• Bucket-list of men more likely to include material goals such as buying a house (46% men vs. 35% women), buying a dream car (44% vs. 29%) and achieving a professional goal (46% vs. 33%)

Culture creates context

• Telangana and Kerala report the highest levels of integrated work and life
• 74% of the respondents in Gujarat are most likely to put more effort into everyday personal interactions versus 50% on average
• Respondents in Kerala (94%), Karnataka (92%) and Andhra Pradesh (91%) are most likely to say they have enough time to enjoy areas of life that make them happy.
• 91% of the respondents in Tamil Nadu consider personal relationships as paramount as against 69% average.