A deskless worker is any employee who doesn’t work behind a desk. This broad definition encompasses a vast majority of business roles, highlighting their importance across industries. But who exactly are these deskless employees?

Deskless positions include on-site technicians, field sales representatives, delivery drivers, blue-collar workers, home healthcare providers, and even insurance adjusters who must meet clients and contractors on-site. The prevalence of deskless roles is rapidly growing, penetrating companies of all sizes across nearly every industry.

With countless employees unable to work in a traditional office setting, the rate of deskless workers is rising swiftly. Field employees, who are constantly on the move or work at multiple locations, contribute significantly to this increase.

The Deskless Workforce: A Growing Majority

Workforce mobile apps are tailored to meet the needs of blue-collar workers and field employees, offering the best way to engage them with your company. According to a recent study by Forbes, 80% of the workforce is considered deskless, yet only 1% of software funding is allocated to these employees. These numbers reveal a significant discrepancy that needs addressing.

If your company employs deskless workers, it’s crucial to adapt your management approach by leveraging the appropriate technology. A mobile app for your deskless workforce is no longer optional; it’s essential.

Enhancing Communication with Mobile Apps

Deskless employees have unique communication needs. Despite this being an obvious statement, many businesses have yet to recognize and adapt to it. Effective communication is crucial for any business’s success, yet 79% of U.S. workers hear about important information through word of mouth rather than official channels. Nearly 50% of workers are dissatisfied with management’s communication efforts.

Deskless workers can’t be reached spontaneously at their desks, nor can they always attend meetings. How does your business keep them updated?

All too often, businesses lack a system for this, relying on inefficient methods like follow-up emails or phone calls, which can turn into a game of phone tag. A mobile app eliminates these communication barriers, ensuring deskless employees receive real-time updates through push notifications and announcements. This fosters a sense of belonging and provides clear instructions, enhancing overall efficiency.

Future Proofing and Bridging Gaps

Your business must keep up with the latest technology trends to avoid future problems. Leveraging technology closes workplace gaps and inefficiencies, making managing deskless employees easier. If your processes still rely on outdated methods like fax machines and landlines, there’s room for improvement.

Embrace BYOD (bring your own device) policies, as 96% of Americans own smartphones and feel more productive using their devices. A mobile app centralizes communication and resources, making it easier for deskless employees to solve problems and stay connected.

Streamlining Operations with a Mobile App

Consider a business where staff perform on-site jobs. Without a mobile app, employees might have to:

• Come to the office for daily assignments.
• Receive physical folders with customer information.
• Drive to customer locations, perform tasks, and manually update notes.
• Return to the office to drop off files.

A mobile app simplifies this process. Employees can go directly to job sites with all necessary information and instructions on their phones. They can update tasks in real-time, improving efficiency and record-keeping.

Appealing to the Millennial Workforce

Millennials, now the largest generation in the American workforce, will comprise 75% of the workforce by 2030. This generation values technology and expects their employers to be forward-thinking. Without modern tools, you risk high turnover as Millennials seek employers who are prepared for the future.

Millennials are tech-savvy and eager to use technology in their work. Offering a mobile app will resonate with them, enhancing job satisfaction and retention.

To effectively manage and engage your deskless workforce, adopting a mobile app is crucial. It improves communication, streamlines operations, and appeals to the tech-savvy Millennial workforce. Embrace this technology to drive innovation and growth in your industry.

Ready to enhance your deskless workforce’s efficiency and engagement? Discover how EFFORT can revolutionize your business operations. EFFORT is a mobile-first platform for building custom business workflows, forms, approval flows, and surveys—perfect for field data collection, inspections, audits, customer feedback, and business process automation.

Explore EFFORT and transform your workforce today!
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