How to Make Location Independence Work for You
One of the things I've thought a lot about recently is location independence. Even though I still have a "real" job, my online businesses are doing well, and I know that if I quit my day job, I could live anywhere I decided.
Location independence is on the rise, thanks to technology that allows us to do more remotely. You don't even have to own your own business to enjoy location independence. Telecommuting is on the rise, thanks to an increasingly mobile workplace, and you might be able to work for "the man" while still living where you want.
If you want to make location independence work for you, here are a few things you can do to move forward:
Reliable internet access
The lifeblood of location independence is reliable Internet access. If you are running your own business, with an Internet connection, you can conduct business from practically anywhere--you can work from the beach when you have a data plan that streams to your tablet or turn your smartphone into a personal hotspot that can connect your laptop to the Internet. From working out of your home to working at a hotel, if you have a reliable Internet connection, you don't need to be physically present.
This is even the case if you work for a company. Using your computer, you might be able to telecommute and only have to go into the office two or three times a week (if at all). You can live wherever your family wants, and you don't have to worry about whether or not you live in the same city as the company.
Workforce management program
One of the most important things you'll need is the mobile infrastructure to make your location independence work. A company that wants remote workers needs to have systems that work all over the world. Mobile workforce management is an important aspect of making sure that the entire company works well together.
A good mobile workforce management platform can help you manage remote workers across various devices, from laptops to desktops to tablets to smartphones. This will allow your team to sync no matter where they are, making geographic location less important.
The cloud
Make use of the cloud as you establish your location independence. There are a number of great apps that make it easier to access your work from anywhere. Google Drive offers a number of options to help you save work and collaborate with others. You may also want to save your important items with Dropbox so that you can access them anytime you need to, from various devices. The cloud ensures that whatever work you do on your desktop can be accessed when you are using your laptop in a coffee shop or using your tablet on the beach.
Videoconferencing
Sometimes, you just need to have meetings. But that doesn't mean that you have to attend them in person. Videoconferencing is a great tool for those who want to be location independent. There are free tools like Google Hangouts and Skype that can help you hold meetings with participants across the world. You can also use other videoconferencing apps that include features allowing you to make full presentations as part of your location independence in business.
Be anywhere
As long as you have the right technology, you can run your business from anywhere—or check in with your employer from anywhere. Technology makes it possible for you to collaborate in real-time over the Internet; you can even access your desktop from a tablet or smartphone. There's no reason to go to the office when you can take the office with you wherever you go.
