Mobile Intranets
Once upon a time, mobile devices were the size of small bricks and used exclusively by the rich and famous. Today, over 75% of the American population owns a smartphone, which they can easily tuck into their pocket.
With employees spending almost as much time on their phones as their computers, many companies are integrating their intranet with mobile platforms, leading to the rise of “mobile intranets.” While it may be a stretch to call mobile intranets the best thing since sliced bread, it isn’t too difficult to see why companies are increasingly investing in this new communications technology.
Rise in mobile communications
Employees are communicating via smartphone now more than ever. According to Pew Research, 95% of American adults now own a cell phone of some kind, and 77% own a smartphone.
Those between the ages of 18-29 are even more likely to use a smartphone. In 2017, 92% of this group owns and operates a smartphone.
Advertisers, software developers, and human resources departments are taking note. According to eMarketer, mobile ad spend has topped $100 billion worldwide.
In this environment, it makes perfect sense to include mobile communication as part of an employee communications program.
Employees use mobile while they’re at work
Employees are using their smartphones wherever they go, including at the office. According to a study by CareerBuilder, 80 percent of workers keep a smartphone in view throughout the workday, with two in three acknowledging that they use it at least several times while at work.
This has caused concern for some. A LifeSkills study showed that 43 percent of enterprises are worried about young employees using their mobile at work. However, many companies are using the proliferation of smartphones to their advantage. Rather than asking employees to put away their smartphones, they’re encouraging young employees to use phones for company use. They’re implementing mobile intranets for seamless communication, making the smartphone into friend instead of foe.
Employees communicate with each other via mobile
In order to keep up with each other, employees communicate via mobile apps like Skype, Google Docs, and Trello. After all, employees have smartphones, and they can use these apps to communicate when they’re away from their desks.
Messaging apps have increased in popularity, and people turn to their phones when they want to communicate. Roughly 29% of internet users and 36% of smartphone owners use messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Kik or iMessage, according to Pew Research. Messaging apps are especially popular among young adults. Among smartphone owners ages 18 to 29, 49% use messaging apps.
Mobile intranet solutions are robust
Mobile intranets allow companies to communicate with their employees via smartphone, and these communication solutions are more robust than ever.
These solutions do more than send a text message or mobile-friendly email. These apps can leverage push notifications, discussions, video messaging, document hosting, and user-to-user messaging. That way, employees can choose how they receive their communications, ensuring they get the info in the way that makes most sense for them.
When something happens at your company, you want employees to know about it. Rather than turning away from innovative strategies like mobile, you should lean into them. It’s time to figure out a way to bring mobile solutions to your workforce.
Original Post: Dynamic Signal
About the Author
G.I. Sanders
G.I. Sanders is Director of Marketing at Dynamic Signal. He specializes in entrepreneurship, digital and social media, design, and marketing. G.I. is based in Dallas, TX with his wife and two sons. Passions include technology, startups, music, fitness and sports.
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