Consumer tech can help small firms

Consumer technologies can increase the productivity of small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) outside the office by 30 to 40 per cent, according to industry analysts.

Research firm Yankee Group claimed that the SMB work environment has not changed significantly in the past 30 years.

However, the impact of ubiquitous connectivity is changing the work/life balance of enterprise and SMB workers, empowering the 'anywhere' culture.

"SMBs are stuck in a productivity malaise using technology no more helpful than a bikini in a meat locker," said Steve Hilton, vice president of Yankee Group's Enterprise Research group.

"Ubiquitous connectivity is becoming a reality, and SMBs must adopt consumer and business technologies to improve employees' work/life balance and drive productivity."

Blogs, wikis, smartphones, wireless laptops, instant messaging and online travel services have the greatest impact on SMBs, according to the report, increasing productivity 25 to 50 per cent for SMB mobile employees.

But voice-only phones, Second Life, Slingbox and YouTube decrease SMB employee productivity.

Yankee Group explained that, to maximise employee productivity, SMBs must force IT staff to support the 'just-making-its' and 'common folk' in their organisations just as much as the 'movers and shakers' and 'aspiring executives'.