The importance of being Mobile
There were some very interesting seminars on day two of the Recruitment Agency Expo in London, provoking thought on mobile use. In a pop quiz during one of the sessions, I was surprised by how few agencies had considered how their websites behaved across devices. The investment in sites that allow candidates to apply on line is common; the consideration about accessibility from smart phones and tablets curiously less so.
But should it be? If it is easier for someone to apply for a job in two clicks of an app, are they really putting the effort in? Does it make them a lesser candidate or signal an efficient worker?
Mobile is also pushed as the magic solution to aid efficiency throughout. I worry about tendencies to use technology to dilute control of business processes. In some instances, offering portals or apps for the candidates to “self-serve” works well. However, as you progress down the process of having placed the worker and needing to ensure timesheets are entered so the business can collect cash, is it wise to rely on the worker?
We work with a variety of agency types. For some of the high margin, contractor businesses, portals are surprisingly a no-no. Competing against other agencies for the best contractors, they are selling their contractors a “no hassle” approach that minimises the effort expected of the contractor. For others, portals where no back office staff intervention is required works well: these agencies are placing IT literate, high value contractors working shifts who are keen to complete timesheet sign off in return for immediate payment.
For those agencies working with temps, is it acceptable to expect them to have smart phones capable of running apps? To keep phones charged and in credit, to remember to use the app? Is this unfair of me in a world where apparently 500,000 Facebook users only ever access via mobile? (I am cynical of the usefulness of this statistic as I am probably one of the 500,000 that browses Social Media from my phone as a way to pass the time on a train platform.)
At this moment in time, we have access to the tools to be mobile but rarely the joined up strategy that understands how best to make use of it. My advice, make sure your technology supports your mobile aspirations, but don’t expect product to be a way to shortcut strategy and process review.
