Remote working is growing increasingly popular in our highly mobile and connected world. Around 76% of US workers said that they prefer to do essential jobs outside of the office. What’s more, many employees feel far more productive when they’re given the freedom to work at a time and pace that suits their schedule.
Today, collaborative tools, cloud technology and more mean that people can work anywhere. As long as you have an internet connection and the right resources, you’re ready to go. However, just because you can make any environment into an office, doesn’t mean that there aren’t some challenges. For instance, what do you do if you want to collaborate effectively from your car?
1. Manage Your Power
The last thing you want when you’re in the middle of working on an important project is for your power to cut out. Unless you have a 230v inverter in your car (in the UK, at least), then your mains plugs won’t work. This means that you’re going to need to charge everything overnight and bring some extra batteries along with you. If you do plan on using your car’s battery, make sure it’s in good shape before you get started!
2. Invest in the Right Accessories
As the world becomes increasingly mobile, new accessories are appearing in the marketplace that can help you to get more out of your time on the move. For instance, if you need to keep your phone charged, a good cigarette USB charger is a good option. Additionally, a stereo with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto will help with taking calls, safely, of course. If you’re outside the UK, please check that your use complies with local laws and regulations.
Don’t forget to invest in the basic accessories too, however. A great headset goes a long way when you’re talking with coworkers. Don’t make it, so they’re struggling to hear you over the sound of traffic outside.
3. Leave the Driver’s Seat
You shouldn’t be driving and working at the same time. Hands-free conversations are fine from time to time, but your focus needs to be on the road at all times. When you do pull over to do some work, don’t sit in your driver’s seat. You may have a laptop to work on, which is tough to handle when you’re contending with a steering wheel. Even if you’re using a tablet or smartphone, it’s best to give yourself as much space as possible.
If you can, consider tinting your car windows too (within legal limits), so that you have a little privacy when you’re working. Tinted windows will also limit distractions during video calls.
4. Use the Right Tools
You’re going to need the right tools to stay connected on the road. That doesn’t just apply to your charging ports and laptop. You’ll also need a cloud-based collaboration tool that keeps you connected to your team. There are many different options to choose from, from Microsoft Teams, to Slack to RingCentral Glip and more.
Since one of the main benefits of collaboration software is the opportunity to integrate with existing mobile services, it makes sense that the tool should work properly with mobile devices. As most products are cloud-based, they will come with native mobile apps. This, alongside robust syncing is crucial for any Team Collaboration tool.
5. Stay Healthy
Finally, life cooped up in a car can get a little exhausting after a while. Remember that you need to take some time out to look after yourself every once in a while. Eat healthily and make sure that you stock up on plenty of water to keep you going through the day. Additionally, be sure to get up at least once an hour and stretch out your limbs. You’ll be more productive when you’re feeling good.
Most importantly, make sure that you don’t start driving when you’re feeling tired. Make sure that you get plenty of sleep and regular rest.
