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Why Your Deskless Workforce Needs a Mobile App for Enhanced Productivity
By definition, a deskless worker is any employee who is not seated behind a desk when they’re working. While this definition is quite broad, it’s highly relevant to the majority of businesses so who is a deskless employee?
Some examples of deskless positions include on-site technicians, field sales representatives, delivery drivers, blue-collar workers, and home healthcare providers. Even insurance adjusters need to be on the go to meet clients and contractors on-site at a claim.
The list goes on and on, but the deskless workforce seems to be penetrating companies of all sizes in nearly every industry.
Key Takeaways
- Deskless Workforce Growth: The deskless workforce is expanding across various industries and company sizes.
- Mobile App Necessity: A mobile app is crucial for engaging and managing deskless employees effectively.
- Communication Challenges: Traditional communication methods fall short for deskless workers, necessitating real-time solutions.
- Technology Adaptation: Embracing mobile technology helps close operational gaps and futureproofs business processes.
- Efficiency Improvement: Mobile apps streamline workflows, allowing deskless staff to access information and complete tasks efficiently.
There are countless employees out there who don’t have the option to work in an office. If you consider the amount of field employees who are on the move or work at multiple locations, you’ll see the deskless workforce rate is rising quickly.
Workforce mobile apps are designed to accommodate the needs of blue-collar workers and field employees. This is the best way to get them engaged with your company.
According to a recent study published by Forbes, 80% of the workforce is considered deskless.
Yet, just 1% of software funding is allocated to these employees. There are obviously some serious flaws with those numbers.
So if your company has deskless employees, you’ll need to change the way that you manage them. This will require you to leverage the appropriate technology.
Your deskless workforce needs a mobile app.
Simply put, you can’t treat remote or field workers the same way as your in-house employees. Plus, even your traditional in-house staff might be deskless a handful of times per month. So a mobile app will ultimately benefit your entire workforce.
For those of you who are interested or on the fence about a mobile app for your remote staff, I’ll explain why this is a must-have technology for nearly every business.
Improve Communication
Deskless employees are different. While this may seem like an obvious statement, a surprisingly high amount of businesses haven’t seemed to recognize and adapt to this quite yet.
Communication is the key to success at any place of business.
However, 79% of workers in the United States say that they are more likely to hear about something through word of mouth in the office as opposed to official communication from management.
Nearly 50% of all workers are not happy with how management communicates with them.
According to a recent study by the Harvard Business Review, these are the biggest communication issues in the workplace.
As you can see, not giving clear instructions and not having time to meet with employees both rank high on this list.
If your business is having so trouble communicating with your staff while everyone is under the same roof, how can you possibly communicate with your deskless employees who are constantly on the go?
With a deskless worker, you can’t just spontaneously stop by their desk or office to give them instructions. You can’t expect them to be at all meetings either.
So what’s your current process for keeping these people up to date or in the loop?
All too often I consult with business owners who don’t really have a system for this. Maybe someone from the meeting sends a follow-up email. But that’s not always helpful or accurate.
Picking up the phone to call a deskless employee can turn into a game of phone tag, which is not an efficient use of anyone’s time.
A mobile app eliminates friction in the communication process. Your deskless staff can be informed in real-time with push notifications and announcements within the app.
This will make them feel like they are still part of the team, even though they aren’t always around or available. It also ensures that they’ll always have access to a clear set of instructions, as opposed to taking notes by hand over the phone during a call with a manager.
Futureproofing Closes Gaps
Your business can’t afford to fall behind the latest technology trends. Failure to adapt now could lead to big problems down the road.
Learning how to leverage technology will help close any gaps or inefficiencies in the workplace.
Once you learn how to futureproof your system, managing deskless employees will become easier than ever before.
If you’re still relying on fax machines, landline phones, and face-to-face communication to manage your workforce, then your process has room for improvement.
You need to take advantage of the technology that your staff is already using on a daily basis. BYOD, short for bringing your own device, has become the new normal in the workplace.
96% of Americans own a smartphone.
The vast majority of employees bring these devices to work, and they feel more productive when using their own devices. So why not take advantage of this?
Your staff is already using their phones at work. So it only makes sense for communication to go through these devices with an app.
An app makes it easier for your deskless workforce to solve problems. They’ll have access to useful resources, guides, customer information, and much more in the palms of their hands.
Your business mobile app can also be used for communicating with team members, keeping track of workflow progress, and updating schedules.
| Without Mobile App | With Mobile App |
|---|---|
| Staff must come into the office for assignments. | Staff can receive assignments directly on their mobile devices. |
| Physical folders with customer information are used. | All customer information is accessible within the app. |
| Notes are manually updated in customer folders. | Tasks and notes can be updated in real-time within the app. |
| Staff returns to the office to drop off notes and files. | All updates are made digitally, eliminating the need to return to the office. |
An app will improve your efficiencies and allow your staff to get more done in a day’s work. It also enhances your record-keeping proce
Easy Integration
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can a mobile app improve communication for deskless workers?
A mobile app can streamline communication by providing real-time updates and push notifications, ensuring deskless workers are always informed. Platforms like Buildfire make this straightforward by integrating these features seamlessly.
What are the benefits of using a mobile app for managing field employees?
Mobile apps allow field employees to access important information and resources on the go, improving efficiency and productivity. Buildfire, for instance, offers customizable solutions to meet these needs.
Why is futureproofing important for businesses with deskless employees?
Futureproofing ensures that businesses remain competitive by adopting the latest technologies, closing operational gaps, and improving efficiency. Tools like Buildfire allow businesses to stay ahead with minimal effort.
How does a mobile app enhance workflow for deskless staff?
A mobile app provides deskless staff with instant access to assignments, customer information, and task updates, streamlining workflows and reducing the need for physical paperwork.
What role does BYOD play in the effectiveness of mobile apps for deskless workers?
BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, allows employees to use their personal devices for work, making mobile apps more accessible and familiar, thus enhancing productivity and satisfaction.
“`You can build the app yourself using our system or have our team of experts build it for you.
FAQ
- What is a deskless workforce?
A deskless workforce refers to employees who do not work at a traditional desk or office setting, often working in the field or remotely. - How can a mobile app benefit deskless employees?
A mobile app can provide deskless employees with real-time access to information, improve communication, and increase productivity by consolidating multiple platforms into one. - What security features can a mobile app offer?
Mobile apps can offer enhanced security features such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and other biometric verifications to protect sensitive information. - How does a mobile app improve accessibility for employees?
A mobile app allows employees to access necessary information and resources from anywhere, at any time, which is crucial for those working non-traditional hours or on-call. - Can a mobile app reduce costs for businesses?
Yes, by improving productivity and streamlining processes, a mobile app can reduce operational costs and enhance overall efficiency.


