A mobile-first strategy helps to position the company as a preferred employer among #GenMobile and delivers an efficiency dividend that will underscore the organisation’s future success.
The data is in and impossible to ignore: businesses that move to a mobile-first strategy perform better, hire more staff and are more able to control their costs.
According to the research paper, The Mobile Revolution: How mobile technologies drive a trillion dollar impact, there has been a 95% cost reduction in implementing mobile network infrastructure since 2G technology was rolled out. Moreover, current 4G speeds are 12,000 times faster than the original 2G network was developed.
The most important finding is that the 25% of small businesses that use mobile intensively grow their revenue two times faster. And they add staff eight times faster than other businesses.
Here are five steps to take to fully embrace the mobile world.
1. Commit to mobile
Reconfigure your networks so that mobile devices are fully supported. This starts with the development of a full technology strategy and plan to set out technology policies and to ensure there are enough funds to support any required investment to move to a mobile-first world. Issues to consider include speed, latency, cabling and uptime. Note, implementing a mobile-first strategy isn’t unattainable and now with cloud management solutions for example, a mobile infrastructure that is enterprise class is affordable.
2. Choose the right technology
The next step is to assess exactly what you will need to effect it. Assess all your existing hardware, software and devices and work out what you will need to buy or lease to achieve the aim of your tech plan. Some equipment will be returned at the end of lease agreements, some will need to be recycled or sent to e-waste.
When you’re assessing your network needs, some things to consider include how to optimise the network, bandwidth and connectivity with any remote offices. Data security should also be a priority.
It’s important to choose the fastest broadband solution available to drive productivity. Also engage with staff to ensure the solution you implement will genuinely meet needs. The rapid uptake of the Internet of things (IoT) should also be a key consideration when choosing the right solution, choosing a network that is able to integrate with applications easily and efficiently is key.
3. Optimise your office space
When you are embedding your mobile strategy in your business you will have an opportunity to re-think how your office space works. You may want to rely less on segregated offices and more on open plan working and meeting rooms.
This is because a mobile-first approach encourages collaboration. So the idea is to provide a working environment that can support that.
4. Monitor and measure
Once you have your mobile-first network and strategy in place, it’s really important to use dashboards and data points available to ensure the system is operating at peak potential. It also allows you to tweak any areas that could be optimised to achieve an even better performance.
5. Support the culture
It’s essential for management to lead by example, if the staff is to embrace a mobile-first approach. This involves management using mobile devices wherever possible, encouraging staff to work remotely if that helps support them to achieve a high performance, and ensuring leaders work with staff in collaboration spaces on important projects.
Every business that wants to maintain and improve its competitive position must embrace a mobile-first strategy. It helps to position the company as a preferred employer among #GenMobile and delivers an efficiency dividend that will underscore the organisation’s future success. Relying on a technical advisor, such as a channel consultant or reseller will help to address and realise opportunities for your business.
Mark Verbloot, Systems Engineering Director – South Pacific, Aruba
