One of the main reasons why people start their own business is freedom. Freedom to make their own hours, freedom to spend more time with their family, and freedom to travel. Many business owners are surprised how much the internet and all the technological advances that go with it has made running their company away from home remarkably easy. If you’re thinking of taking your business on the road, there are a few ways you can make sure everything runs smoothly no matter what bumps you encounter along the way.
1. Rely on the Right Gadgets
Most traveling business owners recommend sticking to one laptop as much as possible, even when you’re at home. Switching from desktop to laptop is a thing of the past – now, you can just plug it into a larger monitor in your home office and then unplug it and pack it in your bag. Your mobile phone is also handy, especially if you make sure you have the right apps to connect to software used by your business. While you may not get cellular service, you can still use your phone anywhere there is WiFi, which is ubiquitous in many places. Do keep in mind that remote locales don’t always have the most reliable internet or cell service – plan ahead for getting things done if you’re disconnected, too.
2. Use Collaboration Tools
It’s important for your key business data to be accessible no matter where you are. Consider storing company files on a cloud storage platform like Dropbox or Box.com. Your project management software should also be accessible – consider a SaaS platform like Basecamp instead of a local-storage solution like Microsoft Project. Lastly, make sure you and your team have a shared calendar, particularly if people often travel, that way everyone will know where everyone else is and how best to reach them.
3. Plan Ahead if you Can
If there’s one thing you can predict about travel, it’s that it won’t go exactly the way you planned it. No matter how much downtime you think you’re going to have or how much you think you can get done, prepare to get less work done than you imagine. But when you do get downtime, use it well. Have your list of priorities ready, but be ready to be flexible. You can grab extra time to work during transfers and on plane flights (especially now that many airlines are offering in-flight WiFi access). Also if you’re traveling abroad, consider the time zone differences. You may be able to knock out a couple hours worth of emails before everyone else back home gets up, allowing them to take action while you sleep.
It probably won’t surprise you to know that 80 percent of small business owners say the best thing about owning their own company is the flexible schedule. Over 60 percent of Americans say they’d love to start a business so they could earn an income while pursuing their passions. Travel is one of the passions people yearn to explore, and if you have the chance to balance work and vacation time, you’re lucky. It takes the right technology to control your business from anywhere in the world, and it takes the right planning, too. But once you’re off and running, you’ll be so glad you’re not in an office.
Nicole Freeman is an avid business blogger covering all things workplace-related. Interested in furthering your business education? You may consider enrolling in an MBA program such as those offered at http://omba.wsu.edu/ and http://www.ucla.edu/.
