Is mobility really making teams happier and more productive?

Mobility is a hot topic, helping organization increase their productivity, provide teams with work/life balance, and improve employee retention. According to an IDG survey, 7 out of 10 companies in the United States are devoting 20% or more of their IT budget towards mobility in 2016. The same survey says that 68% of polled CIOs and IT managers believe mobility isn’t just a trend–it’s critical to the success of their business.

Here are 3 benefits of mobility explained.

Productivity

Managers are always seeking better ways to get the most from their workers.  According to the Telework Research Network, 65% of managers reported that their employees were more productive while working remotely, which could mean anything—from a home office to a coffeeshop. Implementing a mobile strategy empowers a team by removing strict tethers to their desk, or the typical office environment. When the workspace is opened up by mobility, you’re not just looking at happier workers—you’re looking at an increase in productivity – and possibly revenues!

Work/life Balance

In the process of opening your workspace, you’ll find your team less distracted by life, because at the same time you’re improving their work/life balance. A Global Workplace Analytics study showed that 78% of unplanned absences are actually due to family issues, personal needs, and stress. These absences add up to an average of $1,800 per employee, per year, and $300 Billion in the US. In other words, they’re caused by a work/life balance issue that could be avoided if a more flexible remote work environment was available to employees.

Employee Retention

Happy workers are less likely to leave your company. Ninety-Five percent of managers report that mobility has a major impact on retaining talent. Replacing a trained employee is a burden on a business of any size—you’re looking at time and money spent on recruiting, interviewing, and screening processes. Even minimum wage employee turnover can cost you $3,500 or more, and that’s before any training costs are even accounted for. It’s a simple fact that happier workers are less likely to leave their job, and 80% of mobile workers report higher morale, so it follows that mobile businesses are saving thousands annually on employee retention.

It’s safe to say mobility isn’t just a trend, when there’s evidence that it provides boosts to productivity, work/life balance, and employee retention—meaning that providing mobility not only creates a happier team—it’s a strategy that’s saving time and money. Looking to get some of these benefits for your organization? Check out these 5 focus areas for bringing mobility to your team.