Mobile & Technology Changes Workplace Productivity

It’s no secret that mobile phones, tablets, and other transportable devices have infiltrated our lives including at work.  Mobile phones and other personal devices have been a staple for traveling business professionals or managers with multiple units or location responsibilities to stay in touch wherever they may be.  But mobile is changing the workplace for the average employee making it a benefit and a liability for companies and their workforces to stay connected.

• Global Business.  As organizations grow and diversify their markets outside of their home country and to different marketplaces throughout the globe, staying mobile allows for instant access to clients and employees.  Managers of people as well as their customers are now faced with the 24/7 workplace where business happens everywhere and at any time throughout the globe giving rise to the popularity of social media to connect as well as video conferencing services like Skype and internet phones.

• On the Go.  While work may be demanding our time outside of the regular workday, employees are able to leave their clunky lab tops and bulky devices at home giving presentations using tablets like the iPads with iOS friendly slide deck software.  Even projectors are getting a makeover as companies realize that lugging around an expensive and heavy work presentation equipment is so 2001.  Millions of employees weight has literally been lifted from their shoulders as briefcases, suitcases, and backpacks are lighter and easier to store and maneuver.

• Job Search.  Eight-six percent of job seekers would use their mobile phone to search for jobs says a study in 2012 by Kelton Research. As companies continue to build and implement mobile friendly applications and career websites into their recruitment strategies, this number will surely grow.  Job seekers can now use their mobile device to search for jobs in real time without the need of a desktop or big brother as the majority of job seekers search for jobs while at work.

• Decline in Traditional Office Hours.  Since peak times for work to get done are changing and employees are no longer tied to a desktop to receive phone calls, emails, and work, the traditional work times and location are also changing thanks to mobile.  Many companies are taking advantage of the cost savings that telework, or work from home opportunities offer the organization.  There is less overhead and expenses for brick and mortar buildings and less employee relocation costs.  This can add up to a more than significant cost savings not to mention a happier and more engaged workforce for companies that offer autonomy and flexible employee scheduling benefits.  These mobile devices once again provide access to employees anywhere and at anytime.

• Rise of Specialized and More Automation.  In the world of HR and work, it used to be you spent 2 days inputting, correcting, and calculating payroll for your 5,000-person organization.  With payroll systems and automation, the same task can now be completed in hours instead of days.  Paychecks are available to employees from anywhere and anytime thanks to the Internet and technology.  Add in the fact that I can approve my team’s work hours and payroll from the comforts of my mobile phone, leaving you time to focus on specialized tasks, programs, and projects to drive profits and profitability. Besides these, text message automation is also changing workplace flexibility.

Mobile’s Impact on the Future of Work

Mobile phones and tablets have and will continue to shape and change the future of our work, and they way we engage, relate, and work at work.  How has mobile impacted and changed your own office?  Was it for the better or worse?  Leave a comment and share your insights below.

Joe Linford is a Marketing Director with Broadband Genie, a UK comparison site for home broadband internet providers.  Check them out on Twitter @broadbandgenie.