Small businesses are missing out on the potential benefits of a mobile workforce by failing to manage off-site workers effectively, it has been claimed.
According to networking firm Cisco, research suggests that mobile workers will account for one quarter of the world’s working population (or around 900 million people) by 2009.
However, research commissioned by the company has found that small businesses are failing to manage a disparate workforce successfully, by recruiting inappropriate personalities for mobile roles and providing inadequate communications resources.
For example, whereas mobile working was shown to have a positive impact on a business’ productivity, the study found that just 33% of UK small and medium-sized businesses have the technical capability for remote working.
The study, carried out by psychologists at Pearn Kandola, also found that managers are failing to strike the right balance when it comes to communicating with mobile workers.
According to the psychologists, a lack of regular contact is often leading to feelings of isolation, whereas micromanagement is undermining trust.
“As the mobile working phenomenon continues to grow, organisations must ensure that they have suitable leadership in place to manage teams of mobile workers,” commented Stuart Duff, occupational psychologist at Pearn Kandola and author of the report.
“Managers need to be effective communicators and relationship builders with an adaptive management style that they can tailor to the personalities within their team.”
Providing forums for social interaction between colleagues, such as instant messaging, was suggested as a means of minimising feelings of separation.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
