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Many people find themelves on the road enough to justify a laptop (or notebook) computer. Some people just like to have the portability of taking work home with them.
You can get a lot of work done in airports, on planes and trains, and in hotel rooms. I wrote much of my first two books while I was on the road. Following are some hints to make your life on the road more effective.
o Carry your power supply with your computer, not packed away in your luggage.
Even if you have a fully charged battery (or better, two), you'll want to plug
your computer in whenever you can.
In airport waiting rooms I scout for an electrical outlet along a wall to plug
in my laptop. This way I'm saving all my battery juice for my flight.
o Guard your laptop the same way you would your wallet or purse. Recently two friends lost their laptops from hotel meeting rooms. One had put down his briefcase while he went to the restroom before the meeting began. No one else was in the room, but the door was closed. Someone came in, opened his briefcase, took his computer, and left the briefcase.
Another left his computer in a bag while his group went to another room for lunch. When he returned, his bag was there, minus his computer.
Even airline clubs are warning people to not leave their computers in the carry-on baggage rooms. Carry your computer in something that doesn't look like a computer bag, and keep it with you at all times.
o Carry a length of telephone cable so you can plug in your computer to the phone outlet. I've found a 6' one often isn't enough. I carry a PC CommLink. It's a credit card sized reel-up phone cable. The small size is very convenient, yet holds 8 feet of cord.
o I also carry a coupler that allows two phone cords to plug into one slot (from Radio Shack and drug stores). This way your phone and modem cord can both be connected at the same time. You can't use both at once, but it saves you from the fate I've faced. I unplugged the phone to plug in my modem, only to forget to plug the phone back in when I'm done. I've missed some important calls, including a wake up call!
o Carry a blank disk in case you want to share a file with someone else while on the road. If you get a file from them, make sure to scan it for viruses before copying the file to your hard disk!
o A copy of Norton Utilities or a diagnostic disk can be invaluable when your computer is doing strange things while you're on the road.
o You can track your expenses every day using a financial manager or expense reimbursement software. This will save you from doing it when you get back to the office, so you'll get reimbursed sooner. You'll be more apt to remember those little expenses that add up-bridge tolls, tips, meals in the airport.
o Some people find it useful to carry a small printer on the road with them. Several manufacturers have lightweight printers for this use. Others find that if they need a printout it's easy to fax the document to the hotel's fax from their hotel room or hook up their computer to a printer in the business services office available at many hotels.
My laptop is my office on the road. I don't know how I could get along without it. It's loaded with my calender, contact manager, online service, financial manager, word processor, and presentation software.
(This is an except from TurboTime: Maximizing Your Results Through Technology.)
© 1999 Morgan Seminar Group
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Rebecca L. Morgan, CSP, is a professional speaker and seminarist. She is the author of four books, TurboTime: Maximizing Your Results Through Technology, Calming Upset Customers, Life's Lessons: Insights and Information for a Richer Life, and Professional Selling. For information on her speaking services, books, and tapes contact her at 1440 Newport Ave., San Jose, CA 95125, 408/998-7977, 800/247-9662, fax: 408/998-1742, rebecca@RebeccaMorgan.com, www.RebeccaMorgan.com. Please contact Rebecca for permission to reprint or repost this item.
Personal Productivity/Time Management | TurboTime | Customer Service | Professional Selling | Management/Communication | Training | Motivational
