The World Is Our Home When We’re Mobile

Pete Townshend circa 1971 said then what is remarkably true today, in ways he never imagined. Technology is paving the way towards a faster and smarter workplace. With this reality comes the need for employees to streamline their workload and increase efficiencies.

Pete Townshend circa 1971 said then what is remarkably true today, in ways he never imagined. Technology is paving the way towards a faster and smarter workplace. With this reality comes the need for employees to streamline their workload and increase efficiencies.

The other day, two of my colleagues were packing up for a meeting:

Colleague 1: “What are you bringing to take notes? A notebook?”Colleague 2:  [Laughing] “I don’t use notebooks anymore, I use my phone or iPad.”

A few supportive 2013 mobile stats from SlickText:

1. 91% of adults have their mobile phone within arm’s reach 24/7

2. In 2014, mobile internet usage will overtake desktop internet usage

3. Close to a billion smartphones are predicted to sell in 2013

4. 99% of smartphone owners use their mobile browser at least once a day

5. 95% of text message coupons are opened within the first 5 minutes

Accessibility via technology is no longer a “nice to have” but rather a “need to have”. Associations have realized the importance of utilizing mobile technology to stay relevant, and apps are a perfect example of that.

Whether it’s as simple as optimizing your website for mobile access (RWD), or investing in the creation of a native, mixed, or HTML5 app, all the major associations are doing it.

An excellent example of this is what’s been going on in the BtoB meetings and events industry over the last few years. All of the key associations (ASAE, IAEE, MPI, PCMA) are leveraging some form of mobile app for smartphones and/or iPads. And the best part? Their apps don’t just revolve around their annual meetings; they continue community outreach throughout the year.

Another example: BOB.tv, the Best of Business content curator and aggregator, launched for both desktop and mobile compatibility.