Technology is changing the way we do almost everything in society, and one of the most dramatic areas of change affected by modern technology is the way we work.
The days of punching a clock and being tied to a desk for 8 hours are fleeting fast, thanks to technological advances in communication and workflow. As a result, businesses are gradually adopting a more mobile-friendly approach that allows employees to work remotely outside of the typical restraints of an office environment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that:
“The share of workers doing some or all of their work at home grew from 19 percent in 2003–the first year the ATUS [American Time Use Survey] was conducted–to 24 percent in 2015. In this same period, the average time employed persons spent working at home on days they worked increased by 40 minutes (from 2.6 hours to 3.2 hours).”
This should come as no surprise, especially considering the fact that Millennials – who are typically ages 20-36, are more tech-savvy, and more mobile-friendly , and make up an increasing proportion of the workforce. Their work-style preferences are having a big influence on the push toward flexible, remote working options.
One source from UNC states:
“Whatever you choose to call them, they are the nearly 80 million young adults born (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) between 1976 and 2001 who have already joined or are preparing to join the workforce. By 2014, 36 percent of the U.S. workforce will be comprised of this generation and by 2020, nearly half (46 percent) of all U.S. workers will be Millennials (Lynch, 2008).”
Between modern technology making working remotely more accessible and the younger generation steadily migrating into the workforce, it’s no wonder mobility is becoming a hot trend among modern-facing businesses.
But what are the real benefits to businesses making their work environment more mobile-friendly for employees? Here are 4 benefits of mobility in the workplace.
Improved productivity
One obvious advantage to having a mobile workforce is the ability to get pertinent work done when employees are away from their desks. One Forbes article says, “Employee mobility leads to 30% better processes and 23% more productivity.”
In non-mobile-friendly office settings, a lot of time is lost during commutes, when employees or their children are out sick, or when working half-days due to personal appointments. Giving employees the option to continue working even when unable to be in the office can greatly improve productivity.
More engagement
When mobile-enabled employees are no longer chained to their desks, they’ll start to see work as more than 4 walls and a paycheck. In other words, they’ll be more likely to embrace a “mission-oriented” approach to work as opposed to a time-based approach and are therefore likely to be more engaged in their work. When employees stop basing their mentality towards work off clocking in and out at a physical office (either mentally or physically), they are more likely to focus on what they’re actually accomplishing instead of how long they have left in the office.
Better communication
Of course, mobility in the workplace means calls and messages have the ability to reach employees where they are (when they’re in work mode of course), which leads to better communication both with customers and within the organization. Simply put, having a mobile-accessible workforce means communications rarely fall on deaf ears or empty offices.
Lower cost
One added benefit of a mobile workplace is the cost savings incurred by businesses who embrace mobility and the modern technology that goes along with it. Modern technology makes mobility possible, and it also has a tendency to be more cost-effective than the desk-bound technology of the past.
For example, you may decide you want to move your business phone system to a VoIP (Voice over IP) solution in order to allow your team to make and receive calls from their mobile devices when out of the office. VoIP phone systems usually cost less money to operate and maintain, so you end up getting the benefits of mobility while saving money at the same time.
How to have a more mobile-friendly business
One major step you can take to making your business more mobile and accessible to employees when out of the office is to consider a VoIP business phone system. You’ll give your team the ability to make and receive calls as if they were sitting in their office, no matter where they are. Not to mention the cost savings you’re likely to experience as a result of switching to a VoIP phone system.
To learn more about how to enable your team to be more mobile with a VoIP phone system, take a look at our free on-demand webinar on Mobility in the Workplace.