Mobile Work Environments Are Still Awkward

by Matt Jansen / Aug 29

Being a mobile worker means taking a whole new level of responsibility for self-management and adhering to deadlines. It also means a certain level of tenacity is a prerequisite to push through the myriad distractions and challenges that typically arise while traveling.

First on that list is weight. After piling on a laptop with an extended battery, a mobile phone clipped to a belt, chargers for the laptop and mobile phone, iPod, voice recorder, a mouse, perhaps a projector and all necessary connector cables, it’s easy to imagine an aching back from carrying that briefcase.

One solution to reducing all of that clutter is to use convergence devices. For example many mobile phones provide a way to record voice memos, include a music player and also build in a camera. That solution only goes so far though, because convergence devices often don’t provide the same depth of functionality that a specialized device does. A second option is to buy streamlined devices. An extreme example is Apple’s Macbook Air, but companies like Dell and Acer have ultra-slim models as well. Miniaturized devices can save on weight but they usually sacrifice functionality, or they match functionality but cost much more.

A third option, which also can carry the risk of appearing unprepared to a client is to purchase a mobile phone like a Blackberry that provides many of the same basic features  laptop does. This will reduce your clutter down to a mobile phone and charger, but it requires you to call contacts ahead of time to make sure they have the right equipment on site to get the job done. And, if a job requires anything like graphics editing or coding then this isn’t a good option.

Once a mobile worker has come to a decision on which devices are necessary, the next challenge becomes interfacing with them in a healthy way. Laying in a bed typing at a laptop for 30 minutes isn’t the most comfortable position, and consistently using bad posture can lead to repetitive stress injuries. Typically I look for a desk or counter that levels out just above my waist when sitting down. That works for a while, until my neck begins to ache from looking down at the screen that’s stuck on the other end of the clamshell hinge. I’ve found the best solution in this situation is to move periodically to new positions where the screen and keyboard are higher and lower so that none of my muscles lock up. It’s also very helpful to take microbreaks and do some physical exercises like pushups or crunches.

But, what if in the middle of a pushup you realize that the hotel you’re staying in doesn’t provide WiFi access, and you still need to e-mail out a critical document? It’s happened to me many times, a cold stabbing feeling usually slides through my stomach. After a couple of frenetic evenings searching for other nearby hotspots I decided to invest in a wireless broadband modem. I use a USB version so that it can be utilized on many devices. Since buying that I haven’t paid fees at hotels for WiFi access and I haven’t been concerned with deciding which restaurants to visit based on their network access. It’s also easy to look online at coverage maps ahead of time to determine if the places I’m visiting will provide good wireless data coverage, so far coverage has only been an issue in remote places far away from any city. Even then I’m usually able to get coverage, just at a slower speed. To cut back clutter, many mobile phones can also function as a broadband modem.

Challenges with being a mobile worker:

• Authenticating into a corporate network through some sort of VPN software
• Synchronizing between different files if using multiple machines
• Finding an environment that allows concentration while traveling
• Attending to basic biological needs can be stressful, particularly for those who have health conditions (e.g. diabetics)
• Internet connectivity
• In companies that do not embrace mobile workers, IT departments can become a barrier to gaining the right access
• Access to electrical power to recharge batteries
• Leaving things behind when it’s time to travel again
• Critical to be clear in voice and e-mail communications because there is far less face time
• Knowing when to turn off the blackberry and spend some time in their personal life

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