The five o’clock whistle has been replaced by a smartphone notification for tasks that need to be completed sometime between checking out and turning in.
“For most professionals, work is no longer seen as a place," says Matt Goss, managing director – SMB, Concur.
"Rather, work is what you do, and is always a click away. While this can be troubling if not managed correctly, increased workplace flexibility is exactly what most employees desire."
For employers, Goss believes the challenge is offering mobile capabilities that let employees increase productivity, achieve work/life balance and be successful in their careers, all of which benefit the organisation as a whole.
"This is particularly true for small- to medium-sized businesses who need to justify the cost of investment in mobile technology with quantifiable benefits," he adds, offering his five reasons why every SMB should go mobile.
1. Boundless productivity
"When workflow is tied to a physical location or a specific device (like a company computer), employee productivity is also bound to specific locations and devices," Goss says.
"Conversely, cloud-based, mobile solutions provide greater workflow access and ease-of-fulfilment."
2. An enticing environment
To stay competitive, Goss believes SMBs need to recruit and retain a talented workforce.
"Today’s top-tier employees are considered so largely because of their ability to adapt, meaning they’ve already learned how to leverage the latest technology to work smarter," he says.
"Asking these prospective employees to work with restrictive, antiquated solutions is like asking them to work with one hand tied behind their back."