This post concludes our series!
By: Tommy Stephens
Just because you will be working outside of a traditional office does not mean that you will not need to communicate with team members; in fact, the need for communication tools is greater in the mobile office because of the lack of “water cooler” time that we have in a traditional environment. Certainly, cell phones will be a major asset in this area, but also carefully consider using tools such as Microsoft’s Lync, Skype, GoToMeeting, and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phones to facilitate communications not only with team members, but also with clients/customers and with other external parties.
In the mobile office, the Internet becomes the backbone of your data network, so ensure that you have reliable, high-speed connectivity. At a minimum, DSL or cable-modem services in the home office are necessary. In addition, consider how you will connect when you are away from a fixed work location. In these instances, you will likely need some sort of cellular data service. These services can be add-ons to your existing smartphone data-plans, or can take the form of separate devices commonly known as “MiFi cards.” In either case, monthly fees ranging from $10 to $60, are necessary to provide true mobile access to the Internet. Further, you can use your cellular data service as a backup to your in-home Internet connection, should that connection become unavailable.
To hear Tommy address more on the best practices of implementing a mobile office, as well as how it can help you maximize partner income, sign up at attend the TechFest Winter Conference today!
Mr. Stephens is a shareholder in K2 Enterprises, where he develops and presents continuing professional education programs to accounting, financial, and other business professionals across North America. You may contact him at [email protected].