Top Tips For Working On The Road
If you have a job that takes you out of the office frequently, check out these great tips to see how you can stay productive and remove the stress of working while on the road. Remote working begins with initially setting up the groundwork in the office with everyone involved in your day to day…
Keep Everyone Updated
A two-way flow of information is critical for the virtual worker. Tell people where you will be and what you will be doing. Don’t complicate their lives by providing a minute-by-minute itinerary, but let them know what to expect in terms of reports or updates on the progress you have made.
Collaborate With Colleagues
There are many and varied tools and apps to help remote workers – investigate those your company uses, or find new ones that best suit your needs and make a case for the business to start using them. You should also keep notes on what works and what doesn’t while you’re on the road, so you can build up a collection of tips to hand over to other travelling colleagues.
Plan Your Road Trip
If you are going into uncharted territory, research the most convenient Wi-Fi spots, in case you lose your own connection or can’t tether your smartphone, and where you can eat and work comfortably. Calculate how long it will take you get to meetings. This will give you a head start when you arrive at your destination.
Do Your Research
If you are going to be visiting clients’ offices, see what systems they use, so you can ensure your technology is compatible with theirs. Getting down to work quickly with a minimum of technical hassle not only saves time, but also makes you look more professional.
Make a Checklist
Technical gear: laptop/tablet/phone chargers, headphones, flash drives and USB sticks, spare batteries. Have you checked the insurance on your equipment, in case something goes missing while you’re travelling?
Keep Data Secure
If you’re working in a coffee shop or using some other public Wi-Fi hot spot, make sure you trust the network and have a sufficiently complex password to login to your laptop. You need to keep your business data private and confidential, so turn off file sharing. Only use encrypted and/or password protected USB and external hard drives on the road.
Use a Digital Signature
This assures recipients that the documents received are genuine, especially valuable if you are emailing people who may not be familiar with you. Using this can remove doubt and delay when you’re dealing with important business communications on the road.
Take Regular Breaks
It’s easy to work full tilt when you’re on the road. For one thing it’s a solitary job, and you have no one to bounce ideas off or share a cup of coffee. If you are visiting places you’ve not been to before, make time to explore and unwind. Take a book to read. You may be tempted to watch Netflix to relax, but give your eyes a break from computer screens.
Keep Track of Time
Set aside a specific amount of time for each task when you’re working remotely. Secondly, remember, being out of the office doesn’t mean working longer than usual hours. Keep to your regular schedule. Finally, keep time zones in mind if you deal with overseas clients.
Help Colleagues
Finally, remember that while you may be out of the office, you are not separate from the business. If a colleague needs advice and you are the only one that can help, make time in your schedule to do so. Your teammates will appreciate the input and will be happier to support you, should you need assistance while on the road.
Author: Inksmith
