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For many of us, starting a business means carving out a spot in our homes from which to work. But, as businesses grow, it’s not unusual to find that we simply don’t have enough space in our homes for both work and everyday life. When you find yourself in this position, your first thought might be that it’s too difficult to move and run your business at the same time. Fortunately, it’s not. Will it be a challenge? Yes, but technology makes it easier than ever.
Today’s Tech Switch blog touches on technology that can help you navigate the choppy seas of moving and running a business at the same time.
Use The Right Tools
The key to moving and running your business is having the right tools. At minimum, you should have a phone that can handle everything from answering emails and video calls to taking pictures of your inventory so that you aren’t having to resort to carrying around multiple devices. Having a reliable device saves you time and money.
You also want to make sure that you have a secure laptop computer or tablet for those tasks that your phone can’t handle. If you have yet to, invest in a travel backpack made specifically for your laptop. The right bag will work as a carry-on and have enough room to hold your computer and a few essentials that you may need if you wind up having to work at a coffee shop during the move.
Not a physical tool, but a great asset to your business when you can’t always focus on work is to spend a few minutes automating things like inventory ordering, payroll, and bill payment. You can also temporarily outsource many time-consuming tasks to a freelance virtual assistant, who can also handle phone calls and emails on your behalf.
Apps Make Life Easier
Now is also the perfect time to download mobile apps that help you work and play when your home office situation is in limbo. If you’ve yet to find your perfect home, the Apartment Guide app can help point you in the right direction. Another app to consider is OfferUp. You are almost guaranteed to find personal belongings that you don’t need during the packing and moving process. Having your own mobile marketplace is your chance to offload these while putting some extra cash in your pocket.
In addition to having to handle work while you move, you may also find that there are lots of little maintenance tasks that need to be completed before you fully settle into your new home. For this reason, you want to download an app that connects you to people willing to do the work. TaskRabbit is one example. However, be prepared to pay for the convenience, as Student Loan Hero notes that taskers can make anywhere from $36 an hour to $60 per hour or more.
Work From The Cloud
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, make sure that you have your work set up to utilize cloud computing before you begin your move. This is crucial if you need access to files and programs, and you can’t always sit at a central location. Salesforce notes that using the cloud is also cost-effective, highly secure, and allows for easy collaboration.
Speaking of collaboration, you can also turn to the internet to help you establish a mobile workforce that can keep your business running while you tend to your moving and home obligations. If you’ve already got your devices and cloud workspace activated, all you have to do is add workers. You can monitor progress on the go and, if there is a problem, you can log in and make things right from anywhere and at any time.
You need more space, and moving is the right thing to do. There will be days that you feel like you’re juggling, but you can take some of the proverbial balls out of your hands by letting technology work for you. From using an app to find the next place you’ll call home to establishing a remote workforce that utilizes the cloud to keep your business up and running, the tips above can help you make your move a seamless process.