When I work with business owners and leaders to improve employee productivity, the topic of smartphone use often comes up. What to do about these pocket-sized devices that were a non-issue just a decade or so ago? Used to be that only the tech-savvy, financially fortunate, or hipsters had a device, but now virtually everyone from grade-schoolers to your grandparents is mobile connected. (Today’s early adopters are wearing smartwatches, so look for one soon on grandpa’s wrist.) Can you think of another personal item that you keep in such proximity or spend as much time with as your phone?
With mobile technology so powerful and relatively inexpensive, it’s no surprise that employees are spending an increasing amount of time on their smartphones at work. Seeing this, it’s also reasonable for employers to be concerned. Should devices that enable such distraction be allowed in the workplace? Some say no, but others feel differently. For every text, email, call, app, or website that could draw away the attention of an otherwise productive employee during the workday, it could be argued that there are even greater benefits of handheld communication, organization, data capture, record keeping, quick research, information access, and more for employees – both at and away from your workplace, 24/7.
80 reasons to say yes to smartphones.
Rather than be frustrated or fight the smartphone trend as an employer, what if you were to embrace the power that each of your employees hold in their hand? Think of the possibilities if you and your employees were to use their mobile technology for good? Per Shakespeare in Hamlet, “Things are neither good nor bad but thinking makes it so.” Maybe we should think more about how to use mobile devices for everyone’s benefit. Consider just some of the things that your smartphone is, does, mimics, or replaces:
- Phone
- Phone Directory
- Answering Machine
- Voice Recorder
- Calendar
- Schedule Organizer
- Address Book
- Clock
- Watch
- Alarm Clock
- Stopwatch
- Calculator
- To Do List
- Notepad
- File Cabinet
- Flashlight
- Camera
- Photo Album
- Scrapbook
- Video Camera
- Video Library
- Scanner
- FAX
- Text Communicator
- Email Server
- Internet Browser
- Dictionary
- Encyclopedia
- Books
- Magazines
- Music Player
- Podcast Player
- Radio
- TV
- Movie Player
- Map
- GPS
- Location Tracker
- Radar Detector
- Walkie Talkie
- Weather Station
- Thermometer
- Tide Tracker
- Constellation Finder
- Game Console
- Virtual Reality
- Ticket Office
- Travel Agent
- Vacation Planner
- Heart Monitor
- Fitness Tracker
- Personal Trainer
- Life Coach
- Teacher
- Professor
- School
- Store
- Supermarket
- Classified Market
- Auction
- Workplace
- Business Monitor
- Security Monitor
- Baby Monitor
- Wallet
- Bank
- Asset Tracker
- Investment Broker
- Financial Planner
- Realtor
- Repairman
- Doctor
- Lawyer
- Consultant
- Concierge
- Receptionist
- Personal Assistant
- Pet
- Companion
- Friend
So, why do so many spend so much time on their mobile device? The answer is obvious when you consider what is now virtually, if not literally, in the palm of your hand. Given the power of this technology, how can you use it to be even more relational, organized, and productive at home and at work.
Respect mobile device limits.
Obviously, there are many things a handheld device cannot do. It can’t feed, house, or clothe you, nor move you from here to there. It cannot duplicate the full sensory experience of a walk on the beach or hike in the woods. There will always be demand for great restaurants, stadium concerts, arena box seats, and roller coasters. Appreciate your smartphone, but also understand its limits. Remember, you can love your device but it can’t love you back. At least not yet.
What smartphone use did I miss? Eager to hear from you and grow the list above, especially so we can direct it to more productive use for good! Rob Marchalonis (Rob@LSP123.com) helps business owners and leaders increase employee productivity.
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