For many entrepreneurs, the home office is where they do the majority of their business tasks. From printers to computers, it’s a place that has everything you need to get your work done. However, there will be times when you will be required to work while you’re on the go. It is the nature of being an entrepreuner. And luckily with technology being what it is now, we have smartphones, tablets, and portable laptops that help us get work done while out. You might be going on a business trip or just need a change of scene from the confines of your office… away from your bed which is calling your name to take naps. No? Just me. Oh.
Without being able to work effectively while on the go, your business can come to a standstill. If you are out of the office for long periods, this could be a disaster and put you out of business altogether. This is why it’s essential that every entrepreneur is able to work in their office and out of the office. Whether you’re on a train or in a coffee shop, there should be no reason why your business needs to stop functioning. To help make the process easier and to make your business more adaptable, read through these simple tricks.
Sync Your Devices
Yes, I am going to talk about syncing again! I’m going to say it again… SYNC YOUR DEVICES!! Why? Because it still amazes me that some of my savvy friends do not have their devices synced. Many entrepreneurs invest in tablets and lightweight laptops which they can use when out of the office. But, even if you are taking a laptop to use when you are on the go, if your new devices don’t contain the necessary files you need, it can make it difficult to complete your work. This is why it’s essential to sync and update all of your devices. Using Dropbox is a popular option as it allows you to save and access files on any device. If you are using Apple devices, you might want to consider using iCloud.
Google Drive is my Cloud service of choice. I pay $1.99/month to increase my storage to 100gb. Plus, thanks to a couple of promotions that came with smartphones that I got recently, I have 200gb in extra space. And trust me… I use most of it as you can see below.
Having all of my frequently used files on Google Drive means that I can access them from multiple computers, my smartphone, my Android tablet, or my iPad using the Drive app. And installing the Drive application on my Mac and PC means that when I make a change in either place, it is replicated across all of my devices. If you use a Gmail account, you already have access to a free 15GB Google Drive account. Just head over to the Google Drive website to get started with syncing.
Backup to a Portable Drive
Another option is to buy a large capacity portable drive or USB key. This is helpful since some ultra portable laptops have smaller hard drives than your home computer. Having a laptop with a 128GB hard drive can fill up fast if you are editing photos and videos while on the go. There are now several USB keys available that can hold up to 256GB of data. And there are even micro ones like the 128GB Sandisk Ultra Fit that is so small that it can stay in your computer since it barely sticks out. It’s about the same size as a wireless mouse adapter.
Before hitting the road, copy all of your important files for projects that you need to work on onto the drive from your main computer. This can then be plugged into your laptop, providing you with access to everything you need. I recommend using both the Cloud and a USB key or portable hard drive for backups.
Make Sure that You Have Internet Access
From writing emails to updating social media, countless business tasks require the Internet. While many establishments from cafes to train stations to airports offer free WiFi to their customers, these systems are not always reliable. They get bogged down from having so many users, or they just don’t have the fastest connection. While you may get lucky and find a fast WiFi connection at some places, you may want to have a backup.
If you are on the go a lot, you may want to invest in a Mobile Hotspot. It allows you to work without worrying about whether or not the public connection is reliable. And they are especially useful in hotels. Or, if your cellular plan allows it, you can add mobile hotspot to your smartphone plan. And be sure to take your smartphone charger with you if you intend to tether, because your battery will drain quickly while tethering. And keep in mind that depending on your plan you may not be able to talk on the phone and use data at the same time.
Get a Virtual Mailbox
Getting packages is a big part of working from home. Right now I’m in a battle of getting all of my packages and mail from moving. That issue needs it’s own post. Sigh… When you are out of the office, you might be concerned about not receiving important pieces of mail as soon as possible. These could be letters from the bank or invoices from suppliers. However, this doesn’t need to be a concern. Using a virtual mailbox services for your business means you can access your mail on your phone or laptop. The way this works is that your mails is scanned by a virtual mailbox provider and is then sent to you like an email. You then forward or save a piece of mail or have it shredded. As long as you have an internet connection, you can check it whenever and wherever you like. How cool is that??
Not only is this convenient, but it allows you to stay organized and up to date when you’re out of the office. It also provides you with a business address which you can give to your customers and suppliers.
With these tricks to help you, working on the go won’t seem like such an impossible task. You can comfortably work from any location and still get your most important tasks completed.
What are some of your tips for working while on the go?
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