Don't bother reading this article. The "solution"presented is to install red/green lights at your desk to signal to people not to walk up and interrupt you.
That isn't the problem. The problem is NOISE, NOISE EVERYWHERE!
That isn't the problem. The problem is NOISE, NOISE EVERYWHERE!
I interned at Goldman Sachs on an FX trading floor (very open plan). We had an Interrupter Jar. Everytime someone interupted another person, the interrupter was required to put 20$ (yes 20$, it's chump change for FX Traders) into it. When it filled up, we'd go out and buy beers for the entire team.
It worked quite well until we had a fratboy from Boston College. He would interrupt me just so he can fill up the jar and we go drinking.
Now that's a pathological case.
Please don't use uppercase for emphasis. If you want to emphasize a word or phrase, put asterisks around it and it will get italicized.
I share your feeling about noise, and so does the person who wrote that guideline. But allcaps is noise in its own right.
Also, prepare for lots of folks with hearing issues once the headphone overuse kicks in. It won't be pretty.