Tablets and Technology: A new digital future for the workplace

This week is an exciting one for any business leader who is remotely technology minded. As iPad 2 goes on sale in the UK, announcements from LinkedIn have confirmed that the business orientated social media site has reached the 100 million user mark. In November last year, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner announced that a new user was being added every second, and growth has continued to accelerate into 2011, particularly outside of the US, which has seen incredible growth in emerging markets such as Brazil, where the site has experienced year on year growth of 428%. A staggering one million new members join each week with many accessing the professional networking site both during the working day, and also via mobile technology in evenings and weekends.

Combine the rapid development of andriod tablet technology and the universal appeal of social media sites such as LinkedIn and you start to draw a picture of a very diffferent working environment. Together, mobile technology and social media provide the means to work anywhere, any time, and go a long way in redefining traditional views of customer service and interaction. In fact, it's much more than a theory, but a way of working that is quickly becoming common practice.

This week, the BBC has reported on the growing use of android tablets in a wide array of businesses. Tablets on the shop floor are helping sales assistants provide up to date information to prospective customers on goods and products while updating records and collecting preparatory information for board meetings and reports is increasingly taking place on tablets within a broad selection of industries and sectors. Add in the opportunity for enhanced efficiency, security and 'green' credentials and the use of mobile technology to enhance business outcomes and it all starts to look extremely attractive.

So how can the workplace adapt to ensure both employers and employees benefit? Firstly, take time out to consider the impact of storing data in the Cloud. We'll be providing information for businesses large and small in our next edition of Net.Matters due out next week. Secondly, start with your audience. What are they telling you about the improvements you could make to products, services, customer experience? Consider how technology could help you respond more effectively to their current demands. Lastly, consider the future, will the needs of your customers be the same in two, or five years time? Similarly in terms of your employees, what changes do you need to make to ensure your team are happy, productive but also buy in to the changing needs of your business? Can technology support the stepchange required or at least help you communicate the plans more effectively? Sites such as LinkedIn, and mobile technology can enable you to tap into talented potential employees that are located beyond normal geographic boundaries. Remember to use the technology available both as part of your sales and marketing efforts, but also your recruitment and talent strategy.

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