How to Take Your Company with You
09 Feb, 2015 |
Some businesses are intrinsically mobile, because they have to do with representation, or the clients themselves are far away and working through the Internet is essential to any kind of business taking shape. The type of entrepreneur likely to seek information about creating a mobile office is the one accustomed to a physical office. The good news is that mobile business is becoming the norm and that technology greatly assists this process. Take a look at these tips about how to stay in contact with all the essentials of your business.
Have Multiple Ways to Stay In Contact
The only disadvantage of working remotely is that it is no longer possible to walk through an office building and physically seek out a manager or coworker. Using office telephones to avoid footwork is a strategy that has been employed since businesses could afford their own networks, and few companies prohibit the use of cellphones for company purposes. It is almost essential to have a cellphone in many office buildings; managers will call workers just to summon them up a flight of stairs.
Remote workers should have all their contacts on their cellphone, but should also have email address and voice-over-net accessibility. While not all contacts prefer video calls, many do because it preserves the face-to-face element of business. Many services capable of video calls are also able to share large files, and email services should also be able to transfer large files.
These different capabilities allow two interested parties to stay in touch, but also allow for flexible information sharing. A cellphone can text to an instant messenger and vice versa. Not all cellphones can receive PDF documents, but some cellphones can take photographs and transfer them to a desktop at high speed. Many collaborative projects require specific file formats, so it pays to know in advance what formats a client will accept.
Taking Your Personal Business with You
The other end of mobile office has less to do with communicating with others and being able to stay comfortable and productive while on the road. This means having luggage that is slim enough, yet versatile enough to be able to survive various modes of transpiration. As an example, national flights will only allow for a single large tote without additional charge. While it is always possible to pay for more cargo room, too much is an anchor that prevents travel.
Frugality and improvisation are key. The same jewelry can be reused, and a smart phone can double as a camera and thumb drive. Most areas have overnight dry cleaners, and using their services is better than packing a dozen suits. Food is largely expendable as a travel item.
Tools For Traveling Finances
The World Wide Web is a traveler’s best friend for banking. Not only is it possible to look at account information, but many banks allow access to credit via electronic application. Traveler’s checks can still be beneficial, but are increasingly overshadowed by near universal credit card networks. Using credit as an expense account is an iffy prospect, because this means securing a business loan. Some lenders specialize in high risk merchant account services, while others only offer general accounts with conditional spending terms. High risk merchant account providers will need to stay in touch to be able to go through with all your transactions.
Becoming a mobile business is easy. Whether you’re on your own, or just a satellite of a larger company, you should know the basic tools for making your business more flexible and travel friendly.
