I live on the phone. In my line of work, I am constantly talking with individuals and groups of people trying to get things accomplished. Like many others in the workforce, I am coordinating calls so often that I have my own conference call number. Most work days, I’m likely to be on conference calls 80% of my time.

Being stuck on the phone these days is nothing like it would have been twenty years ago. With the proliferation of technology (mobile phones, Internet), I can pretty much do my job from almost anywhere that has cell service and a little quiet. This means I can work from home and so may other places around the planet (now if I can just get someone to sponsor me working from a beach in Bora Bora….). I am not alone in this, as Mobile Conferencing company Intercall found out in a recent survey they conducted. Here are some of their more interesting results:

• 21% of conference calls are taken from a mobile device
• 82% of people admit to working on non-related activities during calls (let’s get real. This should be a lot closer to 99%)
• Strangest place people admit to taking a conference call: McDonald’s play place, the racetrack and a fitting room while trying on clothes
• 39% admit to having dropped off a call without announcing and pretended they stayed.
• Men are more likely to take a call while in the bathroom (50%) than women (41%)

Check out the whole results here.

Dilled Salmon Cakes

One of the things people admit to during calls is eating or preparing food. I have done that and may have even made these during a call.

I have only used canned salmon once before. Both recipes are great, so I think I’ll have to use it more in the future.

Start by making the sauce.

Get the salmon ready.

Make patties and fry.

A great appetizer, side or even main dish.

DIRECTIONS

In small bowl, combine sauce ingredients; mix well. Cover and chill while making salmon cakes. In medium bowl, combine ingredients for salmon cakes; mix well. Let stand 5 minutes. Shape into 6 oval patties. Lightly spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Cook salmon cakes over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and heated through. Serve with sauce.