Click here to get this post as a PDF and read it later!
Running a business that involves spending time on the road can be a challenge. While you will probably have some time in the office, many people in roles like this find themselves struggling to manage many of the aspects of their work when they have to travel. There can be many reasons for this, from not knowing how to handle tasks when out of the office to simply not having the tools you need to do so. To help you out with this, this article will be exploring some of the best tools to take with you when you go out for a day of work on the road.
Internet Connectivity
The internet is one of the most powerful tools in the world, connected people from across the globe, and opening the doors to loads of different features. Of course, though, when you’re away from your reliable broadband connection, accessing the web can be a challenge, and this will make it just about impossible to do your work. A wireless hotspot device can change this, giving you instant access to high-speed internet access no matter where you are; you just need to have a mobile data signal.
Portable Computing
Alongside being able to access the internet, it also makes sense to be able to replicate the computing experience you have in the office. A phone won’t be able to cut it for this, with both Android and iOS lacking the productivity features of a system like Windows. There are a lot of ultra-light laptops on the market, and a device like this can prove to be a good choice for those who spend a lot of time out and about. Battery life will be a key feature to look for, as this will impact your ability to use the machine for a whole day.
Phone Calls
Communication has always been a big part of business, and phone calls are one of the most popular tools for this. Of course, though, when you are out and about, you won’t be able to answer the phone at your desk. Companies like Call Cowboy can help you with this, providing you with a business phone number that can be used on a mobile phone. Not only will this give your customers a great place to get in contact, but it will also mean that you don’t have to give out a mobile number when people ask where to call.
GPS Services
Traveling around cities and towns you don’t know used to be much harder. People would turn to maps, atlases, and even asking people for directions, though this can be a thing of the past in the modern world. GPS systems enable you to track your location and provide real-time routes to follow, taking out this element of your journeys. Of course, alongside showing you where to go, having a GPS enabled vehicle will make it much easier to find it if it ever gets stolen.
Project Management Tools
Keeping track of your work when you’re moving from city to city can be a difficult task, with many people losing track of the work they’re doing as they go through this process. Project management tools can help with this, but you need to look for an option that will work properly with your mobile devices, as this will make it easier to tick jobs off when you’re on the go. Tools like Asana are excellent for this, but there are plenty of other options out there for you to try. It’s always worth working to train yourself to use this sort of software before you dive in.
Voice Recorders
Taking notes can be very important to some people, giving you the chance to store information without having to remember it. Of course, though, it isn’t always easy to find a place to write them down when you’re out and about. Instead, using a voice recorder can be a much better option, and you’ve probably already got on in your pocket. Software can be used transcribe your recordings, giving you a rough set of notes that can be far more detailed than the ones you’d usually write down.
Business Cards
Business cards can be a very useful tool for business owners. These small pieces of card can provide a huge amount of information, without forcing you to tell people the same things all the time. This is particularly good for those who are on the go, as the people you interact with won’t have the chance to see an office. You can get business cards printed for nearly nothing nowadays, making it well worth going down this route if you spend a lot of time traveling for your business. Of course, if you need help designing something like this, it will be worth going to a site like Fiverr for help.
PPE
While it may not have been something many professionals would have been thinking about in 2019, personal protective equipment is going to be very important over the next few years. Masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer should be kept in your vehicle at all times, giving you the ability to protect yourself if you have to interact with other people. While this may seem a little dramatic, it can be a very good way to keep yourself healthy when you spend a lot of time out and about for your work. You just have to make sure that you’re forcing yourself to wear it all.
With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to prepare yourself for a life of business on the road. Many people struggle with this sort of work, finding it difficult to keep track of their tasks when they are on the road. There are a lot of modern tools that can help with this, though, and you need only do some research to make the most of them.
