The BYO (Bring Your Own) trend has been around a lot longer than we think. In the social sphere we are used to BYOD (Bring Your Own Drinks) or BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) for a social event like a BBQ. With the evolution of technology, this BYO trend has begun to trickle into the workplace.
BYO trend enters the workplace
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) was one of the first initiatives undertaken by buisnesses. But technology has spurred on the creation of new BYO trends since, including a wide range of technology developments. This movement is know as BYOX (Bring Your Own ‘X’) and includes:
- Bring your own device (BYOD)
- Bring your own apps (BYOA)
- Bring your own encryption (BYOE)
- Bring your own identity (BYOI)
- Bring your own technology (BYOT)
- Bring your own network (BYON)
- Bring your own wearables (BYOW)
- Bring your own cloud (BYOC)
Bringing your own tools into the workplace is increasing in popularity and businesses need to accept that it will become unavoidable. The rise of a mobile workforce, increase in workplace flexibility and frustration of employees working with outdated equipment has accelerated the growth of the BYOX culture.
BYOX embraces the independent, empowering culture of today’s workers. People are used to more freedom in their work life and are accustomed to self-service. Job roles have become increasingly collaborative and flexible to suit people’s lifestyles and skill sets.
But it’s important to prepare for a BYOX culture before you implement it.
BYOX strategy
Most IT departments no longer have much choice as to whether and when BYO is accepted within the business. However, IT teams can manage how it is introduced and ensure the business has the right platform to launch the initiative. Issues such as privacy, liability, security, support and compliance must be resolved before it is adopted to keep control. This is known as a BYOX strategy.
IT departments must adapt from being a regulator to an advisor and support the business. With a clearly identified BYOX strategy, IT can work with people to make smarter decisions about what devices and networks they choose. IT departments can ensure it seamlessly integrates with their existing networks etc. so productivity is not affected and security is not compromised.
Overall strategic goals for businesses today tend to be: agility, flexibility and increased productivity. Restricting people in terms of what technology they can use will only make them search for other solutions that will help them achieve what they need to or have a detrimental impact on your business’s performance. Either way this will put your company at risk. A successful BYOX strategy involves putting the people’s needs first and not the machines.
Sources
https://blogs.sap.com/2014/03/17/what-is-byox-and-why-is-it-so-important/
https://www.wired.com/insights/2013/08/byox-taking-the-fear-out-of-the-x-factor/
https://www.information-age.com/forget-byod-rise-byox-123457803/#sthash.mTfYkljc.dpuf
