The office workers of today are very different in many ways to their counterparts of days gone by. At one time it was essential for people to actually be in their place of work in order to be able to carry out their duties. After all, the equipment necessary for work to be completed was situated in the office and more often than not, it was not mobile.
Obviously, in today’s world, things have changed and remote working is becoming much more commonplace. Technology has advanced to the point where there are not many tasks that cannot be carried out while on the move. However, in order to be truly successful and organised while working remotely, there are a number of things that need to be done right.
Suitable equipment
One point that is often overlooked when it comes to mobile working is the variety of environments that one will come into contact with. Sudden changes in temperature, such as that brought about by moving from an outdoor location to an indoor one, can have an effect on items such as laptops. Ideally, you should purchase those that are specially designed for travel. This will then ensure that you now also have a laptop that is lightweight and compact in size – factors that become more important as the amount of travelling increases.
Be prepared
The savvy remote worker will always have a backup for those times when something unexpected happens. If the power adaptor on a laptop breaks, a spare battery that is fully charged should be on hand. Similarly, spare memory sticks should also be an essential part of the mobile office itinerary. When it comes to deciding what equipment to take and what items to leave at home, it is a matter of finely balancing potential needs against physical strain. While it is advisable to be prepared at all times, it is equally important to be comfortable in terms of the weight carried.
Wi-Fi access
Internet access is now less of an issue than it was just a couple of years ago. The majority of public places now have some sort of Wi-Fi access and this is certainly true of locations such as airports and train stations, which also often boast excellent business facilities. The meeting rooms Heathrow has to offer for example are fully equipped for the office worker on the move.
Self-discipline
It is quite easy when working in public environments to become distracted. The conversations and activities of others can sometimes be difficult to resist. A good office worker on the move will learn to tune out from all outside distractions and concentrate solely on the work at hand. It is imperative that you can do this, otherwise, important deadlines will be in danger of being missed.
With many more people now either working from home or while on the move, it seems that the future workplace will no longer be based at company headquarters, at least in terms of office-based industries. The office will be wherever you want it to be.