The modern workplace is no longer limited to the building where your company physically exists. Andy Johnson discusses how to use technology to support your boss and colleagues – wherever they are working.
In this 24/7 world, the way we do business is changing. As a result, so is the way we work. More of us are working away from the office and outside of the traditional nine-to-five set-up. Whether it’s checking emails on a train journey, or working on a report at home, flexible and mobile working is on the up. A recent study by the Institute of Leadership and Management found that 77 per cent of chief executives and 54 per cent of senior managers are now working flexibly. The majority of managers questioned in the survey report that adaptable work improves the productivity and commitment of staff.
But this approach brings plenty of challenges. How do you keep your boss and colleagues connected when they’re out and about or working from home? How can you help them to be as productive outside of the office as they are when they’re at their desks? Getting the right technology is crucial.When your boss is out of the workplace and working on the road, whether that’s during a business trip, or from a hotel room, it’s important for them to have seamless access to documents. A cloud-based IT system ensures that colleagues can securely access work from anywhere – meaning less disruption when your workforce is travelling, or is already spread across different regions.
Finding a suitable printer when you’re away from the office can also be a hassle, especially when you’re in a rush to print a document before a meeting or amend an important report. Providing colleagues with a portable printer is therefore a must. Many models on the market are very compact and can be easily connected to mobile devices using Bluetooth.
Mobile scanners are also helpful for maintaining productivity. They can be used to save paper documents such as receipts instantly, helping you to keep a record and manage expenses much more smoothly, as well as avoiding any losses en-route.
When at the office, try to streamline the paper trail by digitising documents. This will mean that staff can access the information digitally from wherever they are working. A high-speed desktop scanner will enable you to do this. It will also save time, as it can be used to create straightforward searchable databases to help you find information quickly.
Ensuring that colleagues remain in contact with one another is an important challenge to address. Using a video-conferencing system means that staff from across the business can keep in touch wherever they are working. Choose a communication platform that allows colleagues to share and edit documents. This will mean that teams can collaborate on projects, regardless of where they are. This added benefit saves both time and money, as it means that employees do not have to travel to face-to-face meetings. Video conferencing can also be used for regular catch-up meetings with your boss if they’re working away, as it is available across a number of mobile devices.
Supporting your manager or colleagues when they are working more flexibly can be a challenge at the outset. But when armed with the right technology, you can ensure that business continues to run smoothly wherever and whenever it is taking place.
Andy Johnson is Product & Solutions Manager at Brother UK.
