It’s no secret that businesses across the globe are embracing today’s untethered digital technology to attract and retain the best talent, as well as streamline and grow their organization.
In this new world of remote working, employees want access to their work anytime, anywhere. No longer is the working day between the hours of 9 and 5, or restricted to the office. There is a growing need to be able to access secure information in a seamless, reliable, and integrated way – we’ve labeled employees who demand that access “superusers.”
Part of expanding access begins with effective policy. Mobile-working remains high on the global business, and political agenda: legislation in many countries, including the UK, states that all employers must offer their employees flexible working options.
When planning for increased remote access, here are some of the key considerations every organization must take into account to implement successful mobile-working practices:
Listen to your staff
Businesses need to ensure they are in sync with employee demands, and offer the solutions and services that best suit how they work. If businesses do not provide the devices and tools their employees require, they are likely to obtain them from other sources. This can lead to the emergence of a “shadow IT,” where employees use unapproved devices, applications and services on the corporate network, which could potentially leave businesses exposed to serious security risks.
Lead from the front
Teams will buy in to this new flexible work-access paradigm if individuals from all levels of the business lead by example, and champion the adoption of new tools and processes.
Take to the clouds
For many, the cloud can seem daunting and unfamiliar. However, it is a simple way to create an IT environment tailored to company needs. With the explosion of software-as-a-service options today, businesses no longer have to invest in expensive infrastructure: hardware can integrate virtual services with existing, legacy environments.
Find a partner that fits your needs
Finding a technology partner who understands your business, and how your business can be made more efficient by communication tools is crucial. Every business’s goal is to grow; working with a partner who understands your operating model and can help your business thrive is prudent.
What now?
Even by beginning to consider what technology changes are needed to get the most out of communication tools in today’s business world, the process of empowering a firm’s employees has begun. Ultimately, increased flexibility will foster a more productive staff, cultivating a dynamic and adaptive environment.
Take advantage of cloud-based unified communications here.
This article was written by Telstra and not by the Quartz editorial staff.