The age-old issue of company cell phones has never been more rife, as the functions of our phones are becoming increasingly complex, intelligent and useful for day to day work functions. It’s imperative that businesses are providing the best cell phones for their employees, however it’s difficult these days to really know if doling out smartphones really is the best option. So, today we are going to go through the pros and cons of providing your staff with smartphones.
Connectivity
For busy executives it’s never been easier to stay connected with clients and stay on top of customer communication. If you have staff that are in and out of the office running to meetings it’s really important that their company phones allow them to stay on top of emails and phone calls. Smartphones are obviously up at the top of the list when considering which phones enable your staff to do that.
Similarly, keeping staff connected in the office is also very important. With clients tending to use mobile numbers more than fixed land lines these days you need to ensure that the reception in your office is strong and allows solid communication on cell phones. Commercial signal boosters by Wilson Pro is a great option for companies with weak reception connection in the office, so it’s worth looking into booster options to amplify the cell reception in your office.
Access All Areas
So, smartphones allow staff to access maps when going to meetings in unfamiliar areas, they allow staff to do further online research on the train to new business meetings. They let staff take photos and videos and send to clients on the spot and they mean that staff are available at any moment to respond to emails, phone calls and messages.
However, all of the above comes with its fair share of negatives. Staff feel a new sense of pressure that they need to be available around the clock due to the expectation that they will always be with their smartphones. Even emails and calls outside of office hours can be expected to be responded to due to the nature of how attached we are to our cell phones.
Staff using Blackberrys, iPhones and android phones are open to bosses who feel they should be available for all manner of communication immediately. Lunch breaks, running between meetings and even outside of work hours, can add pressure to employees who feel that there is never an acceptable excuse for not replying with an ASAP attitude. This can make staff feel anxious and nervous and can add to the overall stress encountered in everyday work tasks.
Distraction
Finally, there is the unavoidable issue of the constant distraction of smartphones. We live in an age now where people obsessively check their social media and communication apps religiously and this can reduce productivity in the office. Bringing smartphones into your business although can offer many perks can also pose problems to you and your business.
Therefore, looking at the needs of your staff, and thinking about the right solution to keep your staff connected and productive whilst creating a healthy work, life balance is essential.
