Page 34 - Managing the Mobile Workforce

moving to mobility � 13

` What are your competitors doing? If everyone in your industry
is moving to mobility and you aren’t, that’s a red flag.
` How might moving to mobility change the competitive playing
field in your industry? If all your foes are making customers
come into a central location, could you provide on-location
service if you had a mobile workforce? Could you become the
low-cost provider if you didn’t have to pay for office space?
` In what ways could workforce mobility further your competi-
tive strategy? If you want to expand to additional markets,
would having a mobile workforce make it easier? If you are
developing core competence in a particular area, would ac-
cess to mobile talent worldwide make a difference?

step two: Assess the Costs and Benefits
There are many potential benefits to having a mobile workforce; here
are a few:

` It opens a window to competitive advantage over competitors.
` It improves customer relationships.
` It reduces costs of salespeople, travel, and facilities.
` It increases employee productivity. (Employees are less dis-
tracted and more motivated, and they use time more efficiently.)
` It locates employees geographically near customers.
` It improves work–life balance and employee flexibility, in-
cluding reduced commute time.

There are potential costs involved as well; here are a few:

` It requires an investment in technology, both hardware and
software. (What will this cost you? An estimate of the hard
numbers is necessary.)
` Time for managing is increased. For example, more com-
munication is needed. Many executives we interviewed told
us there is an appreciable amount of “extra work” associated