Running Your Business On The Move
Want to start your own business? It’s easier than ever. And what’s great about this is that you can run your business your way. The rules don’t exist anymore, and whether you want to work from an office, at home, or from your favorite coffee shop, the tools are there for you to make it happen.
More and more people are choosing to work in a way that lets them work from anywhere, making it possible to travel the world while still making money. It might seem like something that’s too good to be true, but the reality is that people are making it work, and you can too.
So how can you run your business on the move? Take a look at the following tips.
Choose a business that can be run anywhere
To be able to run a business from anywhere, you need to choose the right kind of business. Many freelancers specializing in digital skills - for example, copywriters or web designers, can do this easily. But there are plenty of other businesses you can run from anywhere - if the majority of your work is done from a computer, you can make it happen. It’s much easier to achieve when you work for yourself, although more and more businesses are beginning to embrace flexible working patterns.
Invest in the right tools and software
If you’re serious about working from anywhere, you need to make sure you have the right tools in place first. Investing in a high-quality laptop that is able to perform well on the move is important, as is having the right software to enable you to work remotely. Cloud-based platforms are ideal for working on the move, as they’ll be able to store your data securely and safely, and access it from any device.
Remember to purchase insurance for your business equipment, you’d hate to be out of pocket buying replacements while you’re on the move.
Get organized
Working while on the move requires some discipline and a strong work ethic. You’ll need to be strict with your time to make sure you do everything you need to do, while also being able to enjoy yourself.
Some great productivity tips for digital nomads (those who work on the move), are to manage your calendar wisely, choosing work carefully, and making the most of tools that will help you succeed. It can take some time to get into the rhythm of this new way of working, but you could soon find that it suits you to a tee.
You might find that there are some tasks that you struggle with while you’re not at home. Could you consider outsourcing to make them easier? Your admin, invoicing, etc. can easily be covered by a virtual assistant for a couple of hours a week.
Keep things professional
Maintaining professionalism is important for your business, and even more so when you’re on the move. You’ll be dealing with different time zones, different currencies, and other components that can make it easy for standards to slip.
One way to keep your business professional is to let your clients know how and when they can contact you. Being upfront and honest about timescales will avoid problems, and means clients won’t be surprised when you email them at strange times (although the ‘send later’ function can be a vital asset when you’re working away!). You could also consider a professional answering service to make sure your calls are never missed. Little touches will keep your business going, helping to ease any concerns you might have about working away.
Reduce your outgoings
Managing your finances will be one of the biggest challenges of running a business on the move. You’ll need to juggle changing living costs, as well as dealing with unpredictable income. But one way you can make things easier for yourself is to reduce your outgoings. Get rid of things you don’t need, like gym memberships, car payments, etc. and try to keep your living costs down. You’ll soon find it’s much easier to live within your means and be able to save for future adventures too.
It’s a smart idea to plan out your budget for wherever you plan to be in the world. The last thing that you want is to get to where you’re going after reducing your outgoings only to find that you’re running really short on cash. You can transfer money to yourself from anywhere in the world, but you want this to be a very last resort where possible. The better you budget before you travel, the more money you will have to get you from place to place to see clients and to work comfortably. Reducing your outgoings will give you a better idea of what you can live on while you’re abroad, so start here and see where it takes you.
Being able to work from anywhere in the world certainly has its appeal. Being able to travel while still earning a living is a dream come true, but one you can easily make a reality. With some careful research and calculations, you could put a plan in place to run your business on the move and enjoy a whole new way of working.
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