One of my five-year-old son’s favorite books is “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond. The story humorously discusses what happens when you give a snack to a friendly rodent. Every time I read it, I can’t stop thinking of how similar tasty cookies and smartphones are, particularly in regards to the unforeseen implications. Here’s my enterprise mobility-centric take on the popular story:

If you give execs a smartphone,

they’ll inevitably want to do more.

While making some calls and emails,

their friends will suggest some apps.

As they look at apps,

they’ll quickly download games.

One of those games will be a trendy phenomenon,

like Angry Birds.

Before you know it,

their colleagues will do the same.

IT will react with anger, fear and (sometimes) arrogance,

and create policies deployed via MDM to ban the games.

As employees shift back to corporate use,

information is over-shared and a public breach occurs.

IT locks-down the gear,

execs and employees begin to revolt.

Execs intensify the battle,

by bringing their own devices to work.

IT sends a cross-company memo,

but nobody listens.

Complaints ensue,

and IT continues down the path of restrictive policies.

Inevitably, IT gives in,

now allowing employee-supplied smartphones.

A bring-your-own-device policy is created,

employees cross-company rejoice.

“Where’s my apps?” shout employees from around the globe,

causing IT to react.

After months of denial,

a myriad of apps are deployed.

But employees want more,

while BYOD won’t go away, IT decides to deploy more “attractive” smartphones.

But, when you give execs a smartphone,

they’ll inevitably want to do more.

Have your own “story” to tell? Share it in the comments below.