Work from your car
The way we do business has changed dramatically in the last few years. The train has now become a second office for millions of people, with some newer trains even offering power sources to recharge laptops and PDAs with. The number of commuters who regularly spend their commute time working has multiplied in a massive way, especially since the nineties. All one has to do is board the train, then hook up your laptop, and the work that needs doing before you reach the office, gets done.
There are even office share schemes, where people can visit a town or country and rent a desk form which they can make their calls and send their emails. It allows them to catch up on paperwork, as well as have the option of having mail forwarded. These schemes are run on an international basis, with ‘desk sharing’ an option in most countries.
However, one of the biggest breakthroughs when it comes to adaptive working has been the car office idea. This is where someone, through reasons of necessity, uses their car as an office space. To understand this more easily, think of travelling salespeople, who have to store documents, and essentially run their office from their car as they travel from meeting to meeting.
The last article looked at some basic principles for making car office work more productive and effective for you. This one goes a little deeper, and focuses on a few more ways in which your car office can become your base of work.
We looked at issues such as self-motivation in the last article. One other clear issue is the fact that, on a more practical level, you really should investigate whether or not you are running the most economical car. If you do not have a company car (and these are gradually disappearing) then you have to ensure that the car you use will give you the best value for money. The office car can be very useful indeed, but if it is costing you more than it should to run, you are on a false economy.
Invest in a quality ‘week at a glance’ calendar. These are inexpensive, and can be placed on the passenger seat so that you can quickly see where you are at any stage in the week. Their real value comes in when a client calls and asks if you are able to attend a meeting or conference etc. Having the calendar there in front of you means that you can answer these questions quickly and without any fuss, therefore making you more efficient.
And practise some self discipline when it comes to punctuality too. Always allow an extra ten minutes travel time wherever you are going and for whatever purpose. This ensures that you will always be on time, even if there is a little hold up in traffic, or some other unforeseeable circumstance. This makes you look more professional and more effective, therefore bringing you more business in the long run.
On a more practical note, keep your glove compartment well-stocked with all the stuff that you need on the road, such as tissues, throat sweets, and vitamins. This is essential for your well-being, and should be a major part of your preparation routine. Invest in the time and money it will take to do this, and you will feel much better prepared for the rigours of the road.
And because you are treating your car as an office, keep it clean. Wash it regularly and make sure that you get it valeted every now and then. There is every chance that you will have to transport clients to and from meetings etc. If you do not have a car that you can be proud of, the impression that you will leave on the important people will be negative. So treat your car with some respect.
So these two articles gave you some basic tips on how to get the best out of your car office. Follow them carefully, and they will add that something extra to your experience on the road.