According to the recent State of Technology for the Deskless Workforce report, deskless staff make up around 80 percent of the global working population. Despite this significant number, non-desk workers have been overlooked by tech companies and their IT teams in terms of the tools and technologies at their disposal. In fact, only 1 percent of enterprise software investment is allocated to the deskless workforce!
This risks deskless employees feeling isolated and disengaged as they lack the latest tools to perform their jobs effectively, while their office-based co-workers benefit from technologies like digital workplace solutions, ERPs, CRMs, and more.
Investing in the Deskless Workforce
The situation has started to change in recent years as more companies plan to increase their investment in deskless technologies.
In HRchat episode 250, we look at this shift and consider tech that can deliver better business results by helping non-desk workers stay informed, connected, and engaged at work. I’m joined by Jordan Ekers, a mobile technology entrepreneur, co-founder of Nudge, and one of the industry’s most prominent advocates for the deskless employee experience.
Questions posed to Jordan include:
- Why do employees perform better when they are empowered rather than audited?
- What are some of the challenges facing leaders and HR when it comes to managing and, engaging with, non-desk workers?
- Traditionally, little of the $300 billion that is spent on business software each year has gone to deskless workers. How have they been left behind when it comes to modern work technology?
- Many deskless worker-heavy industries have some of the highest turnover rates. For example, supermarkets and quick-service restaurant workers have a 100% turnover each year. How can technology play a role in increasing retention, as well as getting new hires up the productivity curve?
- What data do HR leaders specifically need access to in order to improve their decision-making on what is and what isn’t working on the frontlines of their organization?
About Jordan Ekers
Jordan has worked with many of North America’s leading retail, foodservice, and hospitality brands to design new, transformative approaches for executing on the Nudge brand promise by empowering frontline teams. With extensive experience in customer loyalty, rewards strategy, and mobile innovation, he previously co-founded one of Canada’s most popular loyalty programs, Carrot Rewards, a wellness app that motivates over 1 million users to make better everyday lifestyle choices. Jordan has been a speaker and conference chair at major industry events, such as NRF Big Show, Future Stores, and Future Guest Experiences.
With a track record of impacting the moments (and metrics) that matter, Nudge’s platform has the tools needed to reliably inspire employees and guide their day-to-day actions. HR pros and leaders adopt Nudge to reach organizational goals and improve decision-making with real-time employee insights; from knowledge rates and sentiment to text analysis and location audits.