Today’s world is changing with respect to how people work. Rather than be tied to a 9-to-5 workday, today’s work revolves more around quality and deadlines being followed (when feasible).
And another thing that’s changing is that people don’t necessarily even have to go to the office. But if you’re thinking that all you need is a laptop or a desktop to get your job done while you’re wearing your bunny slippers, then you’ve not taking your job too seriously.
Image credit: Ambro | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Here are some prerequisites for working from home the right way.
Communication
For the money, your best bet is to have a webcam, a microphone system, and an all-in-one printer with a telephone connected to or integrated with it.
That way, you’ve just about covered audio and video communications, combined with the ability to send faxes, call clients or team members through landline, scan important papers, and print out important documents as well.
You’d probably need a decent Internet connection, or if your company has the ability, a connection to a VoIP service which can also be linked to landline and the internal PBX office network.
Such a setup guarantees that you can send almost anything to anyone, and even cross information platforms to do it, like sending an email as a fax message.
Storage
It’s not going to be a surprise if you’ll end up sending megabyte-sized files. If that’s the case, then online storage and a backup drive are important for your files.
You can even have an “off-site” storage plan, such as having business emails and sent files stored in the office server. You should even devote a set time during the week for all your data to backup systems to be updated.
That way, you can minimize or eliminate loss of data due to one reason or the other.
Security
If you’re going to have access to private office networks or sensitive data, it makes sense to beef up on security. Aside from encryption for email and vault programs or apps that allow you to lock certain sensitive files away, you should also take into account remembering all your business passwords.
Do make sure to activate password memory for any of your browsers or programs, so you can avoid putting down password info on a piece of paper, or something to that effect.
Mobility
If you’re the type who likes moving around, then a laptop or even a large mobile tablet device can become your workstation (within reason). Mobility allows you to work in more conducive places simply by taking your workstation with you.
It’s important though to know that once you do use mobile devices, you have to make sure of your security measures even more.
Power
One of the most frustrating things that can happen to you at home is to lose power suddenly while you’re at the peak of your performance for the day. You should always have a power supply with battery backup, so that you can get at least five minutes to save open documents and shut everything down.
Also, if you’re not using heavy programs, it’s a good idea to lower your bill a bit by using all the energy conservation settings for your computer to save more energy.
Space
This is something that most people don’t think about, but working from home requires that you create a space of your own, even if it’s as simple as taking over the kitchen table during the mornings and afternoons.
For some, too, it’s about ambient surroundings. They can build their own spaces in their heads by simply putting on a good pair of headphones so they won’t notice anything else.
Edward Morrison
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