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Mobile workplace drives employee productivity and engagement

Regina Pazvakavambwa
By Regina Pazvakavambwa, ITWeb portals journalist.
Johannesburg, 03 May 2016
CIOs can drive increased business performance through well-developed and executed mobile strategies, says EIU.
CIOs can drive increased business performance through well-developed and executed mobile strategies, says EIU.

There is measurable link between 'more mobile-first' working environments, and an increase in employee engagement.

This is according to a recent global survey done by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) comprising 1865 employees, and sponsored by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

The report says this proves that CIOs can drive increased business performance through well developed and executed mobile strategies.

Strategy Analytics says the global mobile workforce is set to increase from 1.32 billion in 2014, accounting for 37.4% of the global workforce, to 1.75 billion in 2020, accounting for 42.0% of the global workforce.

It adds globalisation will continue to drive the growth of mobile office workers in all regions as executives, consultants, sales and field professionals, and other mobile professionals of multinational corporations proliferate.

Mobile devices that are better designed to meet the needs of mobile workers of all types and at reasonable price points will enable a greater number of workers to become mobile, says Strategy Analytics.

EIU notes companies rated by employees as 'pioneers' in how they support mobile technology, saw a rise in productivity (16%), creativity (18%), satisfaction (23%), and loyalty (21%), when compared to organisations that were poorly rated at supporting mobile technology.

Also, it says many workers recognise the benefits of mobile-optimised work environments with six in ten (60%) employees saying mobile technology makes them more productive, while another four in ten (45%) acknowledge it causes their creativity to rise.

The ability to work anytime, anywhere is seen as having the single-biggest impact on employee productivity, with 49% of respondents saying it has the greatest impact on their productivity.

Additionally, 38% of respondents identify this as having the greatest impact on how satisfied they are with their employer.

The study also found a respondent's age is not a factor of how mobile technology impacts their performance and engagement.

It dispels the popular notion that mobile working is the domain of the younger generation, making it even more critical for organisations to place mobile technology as a top priority, says EIU.

Chris Kozup, VP of marketing at Aruba, says today, most companies and employees understand that a mobile-first approach can be good for business.

"If you can tell a CEO of a Fortune 500 business that their organisation can achieve a 16% increase in employee output, or HR directors that they can increase loyalty by over one-in-five, we believe they would make mobility an even greater investment priority."

Kozup says the rise in mobile collaboration tools presents new ways for businesses to keep teams together and working effectively, even if they are physically apart, he says.

"What's clear is that companies who are able to do this are in a better place to attract, and retain, the best employees."

Pete Swabey, senior editor at Economist Intelligence Unit, says the report proves that CIOs have the opportunity to use their mobile technology strategies to influence the employee experience - and therefore the productivity, creativity, loyalty, and satisfaction of their workers.

"This is a departure from the usual target outcomes of efficiency and cost optimisation, and allows IT to make a more meaningful contribution, both to the strategic ambitions of the organisation and to the lives of its workers."

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