Today everyone is talking about mobile ― and the mobile revolution has created a new energy and excitement across industries and markets around the globe. In my travels, I meet with customers who are either moving to a mobile business strategy, are wondering if they are moving fast enough, or are overwhelmed by the challenges and the opportunities this sea change represents for their organization.

These clients recognize that they have to embrace mobile to succeed as industries are being transformed by the anywhere, anytime nature of mobile interactions with clients, employees and partners. Because mobile changes the very nature of interacting with these stakeholders, it must be a top priority for CEOs, CIOs and CMOs everywhere.

The world is mobile ― why aren’t you?

Immediate accessibility through mobile computing now enables executives to confidently and continuously keep abreast of business results and address problem spots in a timely way, even while on the road. It gives health care workers the ability to respond to critical patient updates without delay. Mobility helps sales personnel access key account information for their clients regardless of location.

According to IBM’s Retail Online Index, online commerce tripled in the fourth quarter of 2012 (reflecting holiday shopping growth) compared to traditional retail stores. With the proliferation of intelligent devices, mobile-friendly websites and applications, shoppers are now omni-channel consumers ― using multiple devices across multiple channels, and engaging in “couch commerce” to make online and in-store purchases.

Mobile computing lets marketers engage consumers in a personal way at the moment of impact. Through location-based services, marketers can push relevant offers and coupons to customers at exactly the right moment of engagement. Applying analytics to big data, marketers can gain insight into shopping habits and product preferences, and figure out how to engage mobile consumers.

The onus is on every business to become mobile to deliver an integrated, personal and improved brand experience for their clients.

Tremendous opportunity ahead to expand the ‘business of mobile’

The business of mobile is here to stay. Mobile computing represents the biggest challenge and opportunity for businesses today. Over the next three to five years, the most cutting-edge advances in mobile will have next to nothing to do with the device, but instead what you do with it. Now is the time to turn mobile computing into a profit-generating platform for business. Leaders need to better monetize the mobile opportunity to operate more efficiently, drive new business, and expand into new markets.

Mobile business is all about how you leverage mobile to drive increased interactions with customers that deepen your relationships and brand engagement, and ultimately drive more business results.

From cellphone towers to mobile banking apps, we need to continue to infuse intelligence into devices. IT professionals must embrace mobile skills for future career success and longevity. Mobile strategies must incorporate apps, managing devices securely for employees, data and integration and re-architecting the entire business process for a new paradigm.

The mobile world is open for business. We’re just at the tip of the iceberg. It’s time to get creative, it’s time to innovate on mobile business, and it’s time to drive the next wave of incredible transformation for companies of all sizes. 

By Lee Jung-mee

The writer is partner and application innovation services leader for global business services, IBM Korea. The opinions reflected in the article are her own. ― Ed.