An increasing number of businesses are going global, which has led to a change in the meaning of the term “employee mobility” as we know it. Earlier, employee mobility meant that employees would be sent on assignments to other cities, countries or even client offices for a certain period of time. Now, however, it has a broader meaning. Adding to the physical mobility of the employees, the term now encapsulates the virtual mobility of an employee as well.
In today’s digital-driven work environment, almost all employees make use of multiple internet-connected devices and cloud platforms. Add to that the new trend of BYOD(Bring your own device) and work from home opportunities, and you have the entire problem laid out in front of you.
Can employee mobility benefit your company?
Mobility is no longer a “buzzword” or “trend.” Today, mobility is mainstream and it is an indispensable part of your human capital management strategy and your business strategy. It has a number of benefits for your company that cannot be overlooked. These are:
#1. Digitization
Mobility paves the way for digitization, which revamps a lot of old and continuing business processes and leads to better employee performance. It also enhances employee engagement in the company and leads to a more tightly connected work community.
#2. Enhanced Productivity
Thanks to BYOD and enhanced connectivity, employees can now work from anywhere. When they can work from anywhere, they get more accomplished. Mobility, thus, gives employees complete schedule flexibility. They no longer have to stick to 9-5 from a desk. Employees are motivated when they are working with the tools that are right for them.
#3. Employee Satisfaction
As employees can work from anywhere and at any time as per their suiting, it keeps them more satisfied and makes them feel empowered. Empowered employees display more productivity and efficiency. Mobile devices and platforms like the cloud permit more mobility and creative innovation since employees can work without being strapped to a desk. This results in a more efficient worker, a competent workplace, and better results.
#4. Reduction in Costs
Many organizations that have already set mobility into motion are realizing a reduction in voice and data costs. They no longer have to purchase and maintain those bulky PCs, desk phones, and associated hardware. With one mobile device, your employees can gain access to company data, reserve a meeting space, and return a phone call to a client, regardless of where they are.
#5. Mobility = Portability = Performance
One of the best things about smartphones, tablets and convertible laptops is that your employees can carry them around. Therefore, if they are off-site, in client meetings or out of the office for any other reason, they can still respond to important emails or perform high priority tasks. Mobile devices within large enterprises facilitate workplace communications and lead to more collaborated team efforts, and thus, better results.
#6. Real-Time Data
The cloud and the connectivity that comes with it provide both employers and employees with access to real-time data. Apps and digital scans can upload customer and employee data on to cloud servers and the key personnel can have access to it. This offers better business intelligence with less human error and the elimination of post-event data entry. It also helps employees streamline a few of their data collection processes.
#7. 24×7 Availability
With a workplace mobility strategy, it’s like always having your employees within reach all time, any time. Similarly, employees will always have the resources they need at their fingertips. Availability works both ways, and when exercised correctly, leads to enhanced productivity, better workplace communication, and the ability to instantly reach employees who do remote work and tend to customer grievances.
#8. Better Communication and Team Collaboration
As explained above, employee mobility leads to enhanced communication within the workforce. This way, employees charged with remote work can still stay connected to the rest of their team. Mobile apps allow employees to contribute to the project from wherever they are, and such availability means that internal issues can be addressed quickly. This also helps to make sure all employees in a team are well connected and plans are carried out smoothly, even with the absence of certain team members.
Employee mobility can open up many doors for you and your employees and benefit your company in more ways than one.
