For sometime now the Rescue Mission has been experimenting with what we call “Mobile Workers”. Mobile workers are people who don’t have one set office space, but can work wherever they can be accomplish their task. I’ve written on this before, as we launched a mobile working environment. Now, almost three years later, it’s worked very well for most people who fit that category. Not everyone needs or should be mobile, but for those that can do it, it’s a great way to go.
Here’s some things we’ve learned are necessary to have mobile workers:
1. The right technology. Mobile workers need the right tools: a laptop or tablet, briefcase or bag to carry things, a cell phone, and the ability to get around. If you just cut people loose, it’s not going to be productive and you’ll set up a no-win situation.
2. Great common workspaces. If mobile workers need to plant at one of our campuses, there are multiple common workspaces that are comfortable, clean and have various size meeting rooms. This is critical. Many people like to work at coffee shops, but sometimes you need to plant at the office, and they need somewhere that is not an imposition to anyone, or that they feel uncomfortable in.
3. The Right attitude. Some people don’t feel like they exist if they don’t have an office at work. They’ve been trained to think this way, so it’s not their fault, yet we need to challenge this assumption. We’ve been blessed that our mobile workers are some of our most productive and happy workers. I don’t think this is an accident, I think flexibility contributes to their good attitude, but I also know you’ve got to know when you move someone into a mobile position if they are a self-starter or need tons of structure to be successful.
The benefits are many, which I’ll cover in a future post, but there must be consideration to the kind of environment and ingredients you need to have successful mobile workers.
What else is necessary to have mobile workers? Let me know.
David Curry
