Originally posted on May 31, 2016 @ 2:08 am
It’s not always easy to do business while you’re on the road traveling. Your resources are different, your timetables are different, and your options are different when it comes to communication and computing power.
However there are things that you can always do to make business while traveling that much more efficient, and they involve a few different types of tricks, including software ones, hardware ones, and some mental and psychological trickery. Inside the ideas of a bird’s-eye dashboard, getting rid of distractions, keeping charging options around, delegating some work, and maintaining off-hours – find the path you intend to take for the purposes of mixing business and pleasure.
Target a Birdseye View
You can spend lifetimes sifting through analytics regarding your company. Rough, raw data in spreadsheet form, graph form, bullet point form – it’s all there for you all the time to try to make sense of. However, if you’re traveling and want just the crux of the matter, consider installing and using an overall dashboard analytics package. The right one will give you a one-screen overview of everything that’s important, letting you get back to the rest of things that concern you on your travels.
Knock Off Distractions
Distractions are the enemy of getting things done in terms of business when you’re out on the road. So one of the best pieces of advice you can give yourself to stay in charge of your professional situation is to shut off your social media. No wandering through Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, or Instagram columns. Turn them off, and get to real work.
Don’t Use Low Batteries As an Excuse
Business carries on regardless if you’re out of battery charge. This could be your laptop. This could be your tablet. This could be your cell phone. If you need to do work efficiently, you can’t be worrying about when you’re going to run out of juice, which is why you always need to keep some portable chargers on hand when you’re out journeying.
Delegate Before Leaving If Possible
Another way to ensure business gets done while you’re traveling is to delegate some of your responsibilities back at the home base before taking off. If you have an assistant, this is a good time for them to learn what you do. The point is to ensure business matters are accomplished on schedule regardless of where you are.
Maintain Off Hours
One key to great business efficiency that’s often lost in the shuffle is the fact that in order to really be at your fullest energy level, you do have to take some time completely off. If you’re traveling on vacation, keep some off hours to yourself, and you’ll find that when you do get back in work mode, you’ll have much better concentration.