On the Road Again: Tips for Mobile Working

There is a lot of freedom to owning a business. You can hit the grocery mid-afternoon when there are no lines; you can get your nails done or schedule wellness appointments midday. There is also a lot more responsibility that comes with being a business owner versus an employee. You alone are on the hook for customer satisfaction and the viability of your business. Because of that, more and more business owners are running their business from their car, coffee shops, and waiting rooms. As technology has developed, working while on the road is becoming ever easier. Below are some tips and tools for working while away from your desk.

Accessibility

Ensure you can run as much as possible while on the go. Make your files accessible via the cloud. Download apps for the software tools you use on your laptop. This will help you automate as much as you can.

Go paperless

Using the Cloud is going paperless. Use an app to scan and upload any paper

Notes or documents, so that you can access them while traveling light. Use a tool like Docusign to fill out forms and sign them without having to print.

Connection

The latest cell phone plans include using your phone as a hotspot for wifi access; use if wifi is not available. Some cable companies have created wifi spots all over town. Wifi is even available on most flights these days for a fee depending on your flight status. Furthermore, many airlines include charging outlets at every seat. And if you are traveling abroad, VPN and VOIP services allow you to make calls for cheap without the person on the other end even knowing where you are!

Other factors

While working on the road, it is very important to have a good headset. If your mic picks up more background noise than your own voice, it can be very irritating and distracting. For video calls, some think it looks bad to be in your car (on the other hand, it could just show how dedicated you are!). If you are not comfortable taking video calls from places other than your desk, consider services like Zoom that offer a “green screen” option. If you work from your car, you can purchase a desk that fits over your steering wheel for working while parked.

Ultimately, the key to success while working on the road is setting everything up, so you can seamlessly transition from your desktop to your laptop to your phone and vice versa. With all the tools available these days, the sky is no longer the limit! Do your research prior to heading out and you will have increased success at a mobile work lifestyle.