Mobile maniacs want control over their communication

Friday, May 21st, 2010 Karen Ambrose Hickey, Editor

In looking at the data in our Mobile Workforce Report, I notice an interesting data point that supports a popular stereotype of the “mobile maniac.” As reported, this is the person that obsessively checks their smartphone and works long hours. Notice that for this segment, the choice of “phone calls” is the lowest choice in terms of productivity gains. Aren’t they using a smart-PHONE?

Mobile maniacs, and others, connect when they want to or need to connect. The data seems to support the stereotype of using the device to play “tag you’re it” to answer a question, continue a discussion, or raise an issue, but less often do these workers find the phone as “productive” to talk to someone. Maybe a phone call is perceived as a waste of time because the mobile employee on the other end of the line is probably remotely working too and currently not able to talk. I think that there is also a control issue. With a smartphone equipped with email, browsing, IM and SMS capabilities, you can define the “when,” the “how,” and the “how long” your communication is.

I know that I’m more likely to expect my colleagues, friends and family to be online constantly like I am. Now that they have iPhones, Droids, what have you, they are – we email more than we call.

Interesting that there was once a PDA device, that turned into a smartphone, that has turned into a direct feed to the internet. And this is what a company needs to look out for – a phone is no longer a phone. It has more important functions to some users and an enterprise mobility policy needs to take that into consideration.

Tags: Reports, smartphone