The average cell phone user unlocks his or her phone 110 times a day and checks his or her phone every six to seven seconds, according to a study conducted by the New York-based app Locket. Our connections to our smartphones have become so strong and so constant that many of us even imagine reasons to use them. According to a 2012 nationwide survey conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project, 67 percent of cell phone owners experienced “phantom rings,” checking their phone even when it was not ringing or vibrating.
As smartphones are growing more sophisticated and inspiring us to use them even more often, many small businesses are embracing the phenomenon known as bring your own device (BYOD) policies.
Forbes reported last year that almost half of all mobile devices being used in the workplace were employee-owned, “a figure that’s only expected to increase in coming years.” As Matthew Ackerson, founder of the Buffalo, New York-based marketing company Saber Blast, told the Washington Post, BYOD is “a natural, evolutionary change,” and business owners who might try to force restrictions are “swimming against the tide.”
If you are currently debating whether to institute your own BYOD policy for your small business, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages:
PROS:
● Increased Productivity — Many small business owners fear that employees will be more likely to use their own devices for text messaging and checking social media websites. However, Intel actually reported 640,000 emails sent from the mobile phones of employees in one fiscal quarter, translating to an average of 51 minutes extra productivity per day. Employees who travel for business, such as salespeople or management, stay connected and feel more comfortable doing their jobs while on the road.
● Reduced costs — Companies can cut back on expenses if employees are responsible for purchasing their own preferred smartphone or laptop as part of BYOD policies. It can also reduce the burden on IT departments, as employees familiar with their own devices can frequently fix any problems on their own.
● Retain Top Talent — More than 60 percent of employees worldwide report they have used a personal device for work, according to Gartner Research. Because many employees prefer to work where they can utilize the devices they know best, you not only increase productivity but help improve their satisfaction. If your top marketing reps believe they do their best work on laptops, are you really going to risk losing them by forcing them to use desktop computers they hate?
CONS:
● Security — The understandably overwhelming concern for many small business owners is the thought of employees possibly losing or misusing a device and compromising private company data. Companies should ensure their BYOD policies have appropriate security measures, but small business owners may also want to consider the benefits of Blackberry Enterprise Service 10. This technology allows company-issued and third-party BYOD devices to coexist without compromise, and provides an integrated platform for IT departments and businesses to securely manage mobile devices.
● Control —Letting employees use their own personal devices does mean sacrificing some oversight of appropriate use. However, companies can clarify their expectations when they create their initial policies and get employees to acknowledge receipt of the policies. When crafting such a policy, you can insist on employee departure procedures, password protection, and data backup procedures while also getting employees to consent to reduced expectations of privacy.
● Separation — While BYOD can improve employee satisfaction, there is again concern about company data if a worker is fired or quits—worse yet, to work for a competitor. Before instituting a BYOD policy, small business owners should consult their IT department, consultants, and even lawyers to determine the best way for employees to access data without losing control of the information.
Vickie May blogs about all things mobile and tech related. She recently received her MBA from the University of Arizona and is currently working on starting her own online business consulting service.
