Worker Productivity Increases Nearly 25 Percent With Plantronics Headset Use

Worker Productivity Increases Nearly 25 Percent With Plantronics
Headset Use
Independent Study Shows How Headsets Can Help Organizations Quickly and
Cost-Effectively Increase Contribution to the Bottom Line 


SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Sept. 2  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Knowledge workers that
used Plantronics communications headsets experienced a 23.5 percent average
increase in productivity and a 25 percent reduction in discomfort, as measured
in an independent study(1) conducted by E3 Consulting.  The results of the
study underscore the important role headsets can play in organizations by
giving employees tools to help them communicate more comfortably and naturally,
which in turn helps boost their efficiency, productivity and contribution to
the bottom line.

The study, commissioned by Plantronics, Inc., provided quantitative evidence
that headsets can help knowledge workers gain and sustain productivity over
time.  It observed loan processors at Irwin Mortgage Corporation as they
conducted normal business over a 90-day period(2).  A test group wore headsets
and a control group did not.  After wearing the headsets for 90 days, the test
group increased the number of loans it closed by an average of 23.5 percent
compared to the control group in the same 90-day period.

"The results of this study provide hard data to support what we all intuitively
believe -- headsets are good for business," said Stephen Denny, vice president
of channel marketing for Plantronics.  "Headsets benefit businesses and
employees because they provide a more natural and comfortable way to
communicate, and that helps workers get more done."

The study also demonstrated that headsets significantly contribute to a decline
in back, neck and shoulder discomfort, which can translate into a reduction in
sick days.  In fact, 67 percent of the members in the test group reported at
least some decrease in the severity of neck, back and shoulder discomfort from
what they had previously experienced while using the phone. On average, the
group reported a 25 percent decrease in discomfort while wearing a headset.

About Plantronics

Plantronics introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and
is recognized as the world leader in communications headsets.  A publicly held
company with approximately 4,000 employees, Plantronics is the leading provider
of headsets to telephone companies and the business community worldwide. 
Plantronics headsets are also used widely in many Fortune 500 corporations and
have been featured in numerous motion pictures and high-profile events,
including Neil Armstrong's historic "One small step for man" transmission from
the moon in 1969.  Plantronics, Inc., headquartered in Santa Cruz, California,
was founded in 1961 and maintains offices in 19 countries. Plantronics products
are sold and supported through a worldwide network of authorized Plantronics
marketing partners.  Information about the company and its products can be
found at http://www.plantronics.com/ or by calling 800-544-4660.

  (1) Knowledge Networks, a marketing research company headquartered in
      Menlo Park, CA, audited the statistical validity of the completed
      study.

  (2) Irwin Mortgage is a national company with 3,500 employees and 150
      offices. It services more than ten billion dollars worth of
      residential loans per year.



Any product testimonials herein reflect only the actual experience of the
individuals studied, are anecdotal only, and are not a guarantee of anyone
else's results or success.  The productivity gains presented herein are not
necessarily representative of productivity gains that users can or will
experience using headsets.  These figures should not be considered as
guarantees or projections of your actual benefits.  Any such representation or
guarantee would be misleading.

NOTE:  Plantronics, and Plantronics and the logo design combined, are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Plantronics Inc.  All other products or
service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT:  Rachel Shelton of Porter Novelli, [phone], or , for
Plantronics, Inc. 

DATASOURCE: Plantronics, Inc.



CONTACT:  Rachel Shelton of Porter Novelli, [phone], or

, for Plantronics, Inc.



Web site:  http://www.plantronics.com/ 

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