Over the next few weeks, we’re tapping our experts from across the organization to turn key findings from The State of Salesforce Report into actionable steps for you. In this first installment, we’ll examine why improving the accessibility and functionality of mobile tools is essential to improving employee engagement and efficiency, as well as spotlight three critical steps to kickstart your mobile strategy.

As covered in this year’s report, employees are 2X more likely to think Salesforce makes it easier to do their jobs when they can access it from a mobile device. So, it’s not surprising that mobile is top of mind for leading companies — in fact, 79% of companies reported enhancing sales reps’ ability to work on a mobile device as a top priority in the coming year.

A great enterprise mobile strategy allows for: 

• A streamlined connection to your employees and customers that allows you to capitalize on micro-moments and provide enhanced service and experience.
• A forward thinking and ready innovation plan. All the research agrees: mobile is the direction business must move in. According to Bred Belding of MobileIron, “Mobility will happen by you, with you, or to you.” Given this inevitability, by having a strategy you can shape and drive the mobility revolution within your organization, instead of being subsumed by it.
• Eliminating disconnected parties and the resulting bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Mobile solutions allow individuals and groups who were previously unavailable for collaboration, input, approval, etc. to quickly and easily connect and participate. This speeds up business, improves customer service, and empowers the audience in ways previously not possible.

So how do you create a focused mobile strategy for 2016?

1. Look at mobile as a platform, not a new application. Avoid creating another silo. You’re enabling a new interaction channel, but it only works if it’s integrated with your current process.
2. Think of mobile first. Businesses like Uber have proven that a mobile-first paradigm not only works but thrives. If mobile continues to be an afterthought or an ‘add on,’ then you’ll never truly capitalize on the opportunity.
3. This isn’t a challenge with a ‘fire and forget’ solution. Have an innovation strategy, and budget accordingly. Getting into the field is a great first step, but the landscape will continue to shift presenting new challenges and opportunities. Have a regular, repeatable process where you review your approach and adjust as necessary.

Stay tuned for more insights from this year’s The State of Salesforce Report, including tips on how to turn the key findings into action in your department and across your organization.