Mobile has imposed itself on the organisation. Like with email and the PC no one necessarily had a choice, as the benefits were a no brainer. But, it’s seeing established organisations with legacy technology struggle to keep up with those whom are relatively new to the game. Out of nowhere they seem to have been able to offer total secure flexibility for employees, access to all apps via web browser and mobile app - and on any device.
The majority of these new mobile enabled organisations are new tech companies, who have grown with management working hand in hand with IT - in a lot of cases management are technical. They are built on lean practises, with creative uses of new cost-effective cloud apps to ensure maximum productivity and security. The same thing is happening in most enterprises but it’s undercover. There is often no control over the productivity hacks created where employees spot the gaps, and their needs are not satisfied by IT.
Cyber criminals are simply taking advantage of these same little kinks in your corporate armour. On the employee part it’s harmless and justified; they just want the productivity they find in their personal use and experience of IT. So sending a picture of a signed contract through Whatsapp, screenshotting various pieces of IP or simply not placing a pin on a device with access to corporate cloud apps - is all for a good cause.
The mobile space is vast and competitive which has seen exponential innovation and change with no sign of a slowdown. With 1 billion devices in the world and half of those touching the enterprise in one shape or another, this becomes a problem - how to retain control and security standards without restricting productivity or privacy?
The only way to do this is to start with those who are using technology everyday, and start to think like they do.
1) Discover your organisation again
Get out your full organisational chart - what do you know about what those teams do on a daily basis?
- Who do they interact with?
- What content do they need?
- How do they collaborate on documents?
- How does information go in and out of the company?
- Where do they spend their time?
- What apps do they use?
- What devices are being used for what?
Then go out and see if you’re right!
Talk to the users who are at the cold front and understand how and why they use technology like they do. They have already worked out what could change for the better, and you can harness that.
2) Discover your options
Understand what’s out there in terms of technology. Mobile is driven by the user (or is it the other way round) and that is the same for industry. The competitive nature of the space has seen companies specialise in specific solutions to solve often industry only issues. They understand your business already and have found a problem to solve at an ‘as-a-service’ cost point.
3) Align mobile with core business goals
Justify the technology spend. The beauty of mobile is that there’s always a really strong business case as it solves core business problems and drives efficiency. Whether it’s BYOD, work from home, a recruitment initiative, cost saving, collaboration, new data legislation, whatever it may be - mobile can usually help.
4) Develop a flexible strategy
This is an opportunity to speak a common language with IT, nothing about servers and storage - just devices and apps. With goals on both sides aligned through a common understanding there is the opportunity for speedy, consistent delivery of new mobile capability in line with business goals. This new communication will see a natural feedback loop allowing both sides to develop a mobility mindset.
5) Appoint mobility leaders
The technology and the users are changing rapidly and soon the flood of Generation Z will put organisations under massive pressure to deliver on their high-tech expectations. This is a long-term, most likely perpetual project which needs empowered leadership. A representative from all areas who ‘get’ mobile and it’s effect on the enterprise.
Mobile isn’t going anywhere, it’s time for all organisations to start taking advantage of the cost saving, data protecting and brand building benefits of mobility within the enterprise.
Why it's important:
- Attract and retain talent
- Security
- Productivity
Here is a final recap of the key steps:
- Assess your options
- Work out what’s the most important and align with business goals
- Technology spend
- Talent
- Data regulation
- Work with IT to create a flexible strategy for the future
- Promote leadership with a mobility mindset
