With today's technology, it's easier than ever to work from places other than the office. In addition to the 45 million Americans who work from home at least one day per week, there are plenty of business owners and employees who can take their work with them while on the road. If you find yourself with the opportunity to travel, you might have no choice but to take your laptop with you and get some work done. Read on for some tips on finding works space while away from the office.
Your Hotel
Most hotels have wireless Internet, so taking advantage of it is a no-brainer. One issue, however, might be a lack of physical work space. Before booking your hotel, call ahead and find out what amenities there are available for business travelers. You might be able to reserve a room with a full-size desk and extra outlets, for example. The hotel might offer a business center with desks, printers and fax machines, too.
Coffee Shops
Coffee shops ranging from chain restaurants to small mom-and-pop cafes often offer free Wi-Fi to their customers. As long as you don't need silence and can work with music playing and people conversing nearby, a coffee shop allows you to leave your hotel room and bask in the company of others.
There are a few unwritten rules of decorum to keep in mind: Make sure that you buy something; if you'll be spending several hours working, it's polite to buy more than just a coffee. Also, don't hog the seats that are next to electric outlets. Once your computer is charged, move along to a new seat and let someone else plug in. Finally, avoid applications that suck up a lot of wi-fi, such as Skype or excessive video streaming.
Public Libraries
Libraries differ in the amenities offered, but most include quiet work spaces and free wi-fi. You could patronize the library every day while on your trip, if you so desire; no one will think it's odd. Obviously, you'll need to be quiet; take phone calls outside. Also, don't be afraid to ask the librarian where the best place is to work. Some libraries have dedicated quiet rooms; others might have a meeting room that you can use, a long as no one else has reserved it.
Office Surfing
You might have heard of couch-surfing, which is when travelers stay with people who have offered up their extra bedrooms and pull-out sofas to strangers. A business-related equivalent would entail you borrowing office space while you are traveling. This is sometimes called desk-surfing or office-surfing.
If you can't find office space to borrow for free, you could always rent a space on a short-term basis. Call a business property management service to find out if they have any vacant offices. It might be more beneficial for them to rent to you at a low rate for a few weeks than to allow the unit to sit vacant for another month. It never hurts to ask!
Make Your Own Office
Check with your wireless data carrier: You might already have the capability to create a personal hotspot with your cellphone. If you do, or if you upgrade to include the service, you can enjoy working from anywhere that you can get a cell signal. This means that you can submit reports to your boss while sipping a cocktail on the beach or respond to emails from a picnic table at a state park.
In today's world, there's no reason that you can't go on vacation even if you have work that needs to be done. Bring along your laptop or tablet, create a comfortable work space for yourself, and enjoy combining business and pleasure on your next trip. Click for more info.
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