Andrew Rondeau

Andrew is the owner of this website and has been a Leader, Manager, Coach and Consultant for the last twenty-five years.

Successful Management and Mobile Working

By Andrew Rondeau
Published 06/10/2008

I was in my local supermarket yesterday and heard the following conversation between a 5 year old and his mum:

5 years old: Mum, do we have that DVD?

Mum: No, we do not

5 years old: Don’t worry, we can get it on the web

Five years old!

The generation has already been born which regards not just laptops and mobile phones as the norm, but web-cams and wireless, as well.

How far have we come?

What a long way we have come in just a decade of mobile working. In the 1970’s we had big mainframes and dumb terminals. In the 80’s PC’s become cheap enough for all. In the 90’s, there were 10,000 Internet service providers and the web browser allowed ‘anytime, anyplace, and anywhere’ connectivity. Since then three developments have dominated the changes:

Speed. Today, 10 gigabits per second data rates are the norm, enough for video. 10 years ago data rates could just about handle e-mail
Wireless. It is now cheaper than a cup of coffee.
Mobile phones. There are more mobile phones than people in some countries.

Photo courtesy of chiacomo

So what technology do you use for mobile working?

Mobile phone, wireless laptop, blackberry? In most Corporates today, these devices are issued to staff as standard. So does all this technology make for a better work/life balance or for better business?

I believe it is both.

At first, Corporates made more demands on their staff. As staff, we could now deal with emails in the evenings and always be available at the end of the phone. Some Corporates abused this situation.

Now, Corporates are realising that individuals will use the technology to suit their needs. Technology makes working much more flexible. Therefore, if someone needs to be at home for certain periods of the week, they can be, with the technology available. However, individuals who do work from home can miss the banter and face-to-face interaction with work colleagues.

I believe overall flexible working is better working. However, some leaders still do not trust their staff to work wherever or whenever. As a manager, you have to trust your staff and you know when someone is abusing the privileges of flexible working.

So the future?

I think the distinction between working at the office, at home or on the road will disappear. Each will be thought of as normal. But it will take a mindset change for managers to trust their staff more than they do today. Having trust in your staff builds rapport and increase productivity.

In the future you just might not see them everyday!

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2 Responses to "Successful Management and Mobile Working"

jonathan

said this on 12 Jun 2008 11:56:47 AM EDT

Interesting post. To take the intro, Our 8 year old doesn't understand what "offline" means - umm thats just when his friends are not signed in.

When our broadband recently went down, it was like his arm had been chopped off.

Also, there is a generation growing up who think google IS the web. This is worrying - they were the "most trusted brand" in a recent UK survey. (and one of the reasons we insist on using firefox so ours don't put M$ in the same bracket.)

Big global corporates with a nice face.

(Reply to this comment)

Andrew Rondeau

said this on 13 Jun 2008 3:48:37 AM EDT

Jonathan,

Thanks for commenting.

It's sad that we have become a society of broadband abusers!

I remember 'teaching' my kids using the mouse on a very old black and white apple mac. I bet that machine is worth some money now!

I was proud when my 3-year-old son could master the mouse.

Now he is on-line all night!

What will the next generation enjoy?

re: Big global corporates with a nice face.

That's the way to do it in this world, today.

Which others? Apple?

Andrew

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